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).
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).
Pamiko schrieb:
The only thing that doesn't work there is the upstairs hallway A glass partition toward the stairs could help there.
What do you mean by "mixture"? I don’t get it. You’re creating tight movement spaces in the open-plan area, the vertical space above the cooktop, and things like that... is that the mixture?
The ceiling height also affects the lighting due to the orientation. In combination with the two windows in the stairwell, I expect better lighting in the kitchen.
By "mix" I mean functionality and something that is not standard or typical. As I mentioned at the beginning, optimizing every detail is not very important to me. I am simply trying to find a balanced approach.
By the way, the kitchen was drawn this way by the planner. Whether it will actually be built like that is not certain.
By "mix" I mean functionality and something that is not standard or typical. As I mentioned at the beginning, optimizing every detail is not very important to me. I am simply trying to find a balanced approach.
By the way, the kitchen was drawn this way by the planner. Whether it will actually be built like that is not certain.
Yes ... exactly, and then try to create a MEANINGFUL kitchen layout in your space.
And think about it ... kitchen/dining areas are active all day long ... in Katja’s plan, you don’t even have to worry about finding any light for the kitchen.
Honestly, I wouldn’t build a house if I had to make compromises in comfort and functionality like in a rental property. Form follows function.
And think about it ... kitchen/dining areas are active all day long ... in Katja’s plan, you don’t even have to worry about finding any light for the kitchen.
Honestly, I wouldn’t build a house if I had to make compromises in comfort and functionality like in a rental property. Form follows function.
Pamiko schrieb:
However, I do prefer a "mix."Pamiko schrieb:
By mix, I mean functionality and something a bit different from the usual.
As I mentioned at the beginning, I’m not focused on optimizing every detail. I’m simply trying to find a balanced approach.How the design looked originally, now, or later on paper doesn’t really matter anymore. At that point, there are real walls and real hallways—and then it’s too late. The open-plan living space is problematic (not everything that is interesting or unconventional is good. Not everything that looks standard in a top-down floor plan is bad). And whether the kitchen has a skylight or not—it already functions poorly as is... then just eat out more often. The void space partially above the kitchen doesn’t make sense to me; it actually creates a restless feeling while cooking. I would rather place the dining table in that area. The dining area works better as a passageway.
Pamiko schrieb:
By the way, the kitchen was drawn that way by Planet. It’s not certain that it will actually be built like that. How else could it be placed there?
Please also take another look at the terrace access! How is it supposed to be comfortably used when carrying a tray with both hands?
Thank you for your opinions. I will reconsider the floor plan once more.
I’m just not that keen on Katja’s suggestion. I really admire her work (overall here in the forum), but a floor plan has to appeal to me personally since I’m only building a house once in my life and will be paying for it for 30 years. And it doesn’t matter whether the design comes from an architect, a planner, or a forum.
Please don’t get me wrong. It’s far from my intention to criticize any ideas, which is exactly why I’m here. I just feel like I’ve been pushed towards this particular floor plan in the recent posts.
I’m just not that keen on Katja’s suggestion. I really admire her work (overall here in the forum), but a floor plan has to appeal to me personally since I’m only building a house once in my life and will be paying for it for 30 years. And it doesn’t matter whether the design comes from an architect, a planner, or a forum.
Please don’t get me wrong. It’s far from my intention to criticize any ideas, which is exactly why I’m here. I just feel like I’ve been pushed towards this particular floor plan in the recent posts.
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