ᐅ Floor plan for a house on a hillside (ground floor and basement living area) with a maximum of 150 m²

Created on: 2 Feb 2019 14:27
P
Pamiko
Hello,

we are currently working on the floor plan for our house. We already have the plot, which is on a sloping site.
We have decided to build a two-story house, with the upper floor (sleeping area) providing access to the street and the lower floor serving as the living area with garden access.
We want a manageable house size, but due to the requirements for the living floor, a minimum of about 140m² (1505 sq ft) is necessary. However, it definitely should not exceed 150m² (1615 sq ft).
We want a modern touch or something distinctive. For example, because of the great view, we considered a window seat. Ultimately, we decided on a small open space with a large window facing the backyard.
We really like the lower floor; the ground floor is not yet one hundred percent right.
Since I have been a long-time forum reader, I want to mention upfront that optimizing every last bit of available space is not a must for me. I am aware that, for example, a lot of space is used for corridors. Given the house’s orientation (there are no alternatives here), I think this is necessary to avoid a cramped feeling.

I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

And here is the questionnaire:

Development plan/restrictions
Plot size: 700m² (7,535 sq ft), width 20m (66 ft)
Slope: yes, sloping
Floor area ratio: 0.4
Building envelope, building line, and boundary: standard 3m (10 ft) setback
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2
Roof type: hip roof or gable roof
Style: modern
Orientation: northeast

Client requirements
Style, roof form, building type: city villa style with the special feature that, due to the slope, the entrance is on the upper of the two floors. The lower floor is fully embedded at the street side and opens to the back.
Basement, floors: ground floor and living basement
Number of occupants, ages: 4 (35, 35, 3, 1)
Room requirements on ground floor, upper floor: living floor must have at least one (small) room. Living, dining, kitchen combined approx. 45m² (480 sq ft), guest toilet with shower
Guests per year: none
Open or closed layout: open
Traditional or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open without island
Number of dining seats: 6-8
Fireplace: no
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: double-level single garage (with basement storage space below)
Additional wishes/features/daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be included: living floor must be on the lower level for direct garden access

House design
Who created the plan:
- Planner from a construction company
- Offer for the house (including painter, flooring, and preliminary material selection): approx. 320,000 EUR
What do you particularly like? Why?: like the lower floor; open space, room sizes fit well
What do you dislike? Why?: children’s room next to the garage
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump

If you have to give up anything, which details/extensions:
- can give up: –
- cannot give up: room sizes of lower floor; open space

Why is the design as it is now?: proposal from the general contractor (a similar house was recently built) with small changes. Also limited by the set budget.
Which wishes from the architect were implemented? The open space was added

What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
How can the ground floor be changed so that the children’s room is not next to the garage? I can’t find a suitable solution with the current plan. The staircase cannot be moved due to the basement (the guest toilet and utility room would otherwise become too small).

Ground floor plan of a house: bedroom, walk-in closet, bathroom, hallway, open space, two children’s rooms, stairs


Basement floor plan with open living/dining/kitchen, office, hallway, utility room, WC, and basement storage.
P
Pamiko
29 Apr 2019 21:51
Good point. I will bring this up with the general contractor at the next meeting.
Y
ypg
29 Apr 2019 22:35
Pamiko schrieb:

Good point. I will bring this up with the general contractor at the next meeting.

Should he tell you what you need and what to build?
P
Pamiko
29 Apr 2019 22:58
Of course not. However, I want to know exactly which stones will be used to build the garage’s basement, how the foundation is designed, and so on. I had planned to store more than just garden tools there. Therefore, I want to know from him whether the structural conditions for that are in place.

I won’t comment on the phrasing of your post, considering your previous helpful comments.
Y
ypg
29 Apr 2019 23:14
Pamiko schrieb:

Of course not. However, I would like to know exactly which type of blocks the garage basement is built with, how the foundation is constructed, and so on.
I had already planned to store things other than just garden tools there. Therefore, I want to know from him if the structural conditions are suitable for that.

I won’t comment on the wording of your post due to your previous helpful remarks.


My choice of words still works perfectly.
Do you know what a thermal envelope is?
kaho6744 May 2019 20:40
Pamiko schrieb:

I want to know exactly which type of blocks are used for the garage basement walls, how the foundation is constructed, and so on.

Think about it yourself. The general contractor won’t haul around five different types of blocks. There will be two, at most three thicknesses, all from the same type. Whether you build the garage with 24cm (9.5 inch) blocks or 36cm (14 inch) blocks, the financial difference is minimal in the end. Using 17cm (6.7 inch) blocks probably won’t work if you want another floor above. So you might as well go with the thicker blocks and include that space in the thermal envelope. That’s what I would do. The foundation doesn’t differ at all from the rest of the building. The only additional cost is the heating loop in the floor and the floor structure. In return, you get a fully functional room. I wouldn’t even hesitate about that.

Here is a suggestion on how you could use the space, although I slightly enlarged the garage to accommodate bicycles and such. But it doesn’t have to be that big.

Floor plan of a house with guest room, multipurpose room, shower, technical/utility room, storage, stairs

Floor plan of a house: hallway, stairs, walk-in closet, kitchen (K), bathroom, garage.