ᐅ Floor Plan for a Sloped Site – Tips for Urban Villas and Bungalows
Created on: 7 May 2014 23:29
A
ah-hof
Hello,
I would like to share our planned floor plan here for some feedback.
First, a bit about the project:
Three years ago, we bought a plot of land with an old building. The site is on a hillside, south-facing, about 1000 sqm (0.25 acres). We originally planned to demolish the old building, but it turned out to be very cost-effective to make it livable, so we have been living there for two years now. (Basement with kitchen + study room with access to the terrace, ground floor with living room + bathroom + entrance at street level, upper floor bedroom, total of 60 sqm (645 sq ft) over three levels.)
Next year, we want to build a new house on the property. The old building is located at the top, with the street also at the top, and the new house will be built in front (that is, south) of the old building. Once the new house is finished, the old building will be demolished down to the basement, and garages will be built on the basement level.
The house will have two full stories. On the garden side, it should look like an urban villa, while on the street side, it will resemble a bungalow. The roof will be a hip roof. There is no development plan; it is a building-in-existing-structures situation. The planning authority agrees with the basic idea and currently sees no issues.
At street level will be the ground floor of the new house, and the garages will be located on the old building’s basement level.
I may try to post a sketch later on.
Regarding the floor plan itself:
- We are currently two people, but children are planned in the future. That’s why there are two bedrooms in the basement. For the time being, the study room and one of the bedrooms in the basement can be swapped.
- Kitchen in the basement: I prefer the stairs (for example, carrying groceries down) in order to have direct access to the terrace.
- For later in life, the basement and ground floor could be made into two separate units. The left bedroom in the basement can be fitted with an external door, and the stairs could possibly be closed off. On the ground floor, the study could be converted into a kitchen, and the living room could serve as a combined dining and living area.
- Does the walk-in closet make sense? It’s not a must-have. Since the toilet is separate, the bathroom and bedroom could be more connected, but I’m still working on ideas for that.
- Access to the toilet via the entrance area: I think having two doors to the toilet from the living area provides better privacy.
- The basement corridor might be dark, but I had something similar in the attic corridor at my parents’ house and it never bothered us. Possibly, frosted glass inserts in the doors could bring some daylight in.
Thanks for your suggestions,
Andreas
I would like to share our planned floor plan here for some feedback.
First, a bit about the project:
Three years ago, we bought a plot of land with an old building. The site is on a hillside, south-facing, about 1000 sqm (0.25 acres). We originally planned to demolish the old building, but it turned out to be very cost-effective to make it livable, so we have been living there for two years now. (Basement with kitchen + study room with access to the terrace, ground floor with living room + bathroom + entrance at street level, upper floor bedroom, total of 60 sqm (645 sq ft) over three levels.)
Next year, we want to build a new house on the property. The old building is located at the top, with the street also at the top, and the new house will be built in front (that is, south) of the old building. Once the new house is finished, the old building will be demolished down to the basement, and garages will be built on the basement level.
The house will have two full stories. On the garden side, it should look like an urban villa, while on the street side, it will resemble a bungalow. The roof will be a hip roof. There is no development plan; it is a building-in-existing-structures situation. The planning authority agrees with the basic idea and currently sees no issues.
At street level will be the ground floor of the new house, and the garages will be located on the old building’s basement level.
I may try to post a sketch later on.
Regarding the floor plan itself:
- We are currently two people, but children are planned in the future. That’s why there are two bedrooms in the basement. For the time being, the study room and one of the bedrooms in the basement can be swapped.
- Kitchen in the basement: I prefer the stairs (for example, carrying groceries down) in order to have direct access to the terrace.
- For later in life, the basement and ground floor could be made into two separate units. The left bedroom in the basement can be fitted with an external door, and the stairs could possibly be closed off. On the ground floor, the study could be converted into a kitchen, and the living room could serve as a combined dining and living area.
- Does the walk-in closet make sense? It’s not a must-have. Since the toilet is separate, the bathroom and bedroom could be more connected, but I’m still working on ideas for that.
- Access to the toilet via the entrance area: I think having two doors to the toilet from the living area provides better privacy.
- The basement corridor might be dark, but I had something similar in the attic corridor at my parents’ house and it never bothered us. Possibly, frosted glass inserts in the doors could bring some daylight in.
Thanks for your suggestions,
Andreas
W
Wanderdüne10 May 2014 09:30@ah-Hof
As mentioned, DIY planning might not be the best approach for building on a slope.
In June, there is the Architecture Day again, where projects with challenging site conditions are showcased, and you can discuss with the architects to understand why the building looks the way it does. Maybe there is an event near you (link to the respective national architects’ chamber website).
Otherwise, a split-level design can also be a good solution for hillside construction.
WD
As mentioned, DIY planning might not be the best approach for building on a slope.
In June, there is the Architecture Day again, where projects with challenging site conditions are showcased, and you can discuss with the architects to understand why the building looks the way it does. Maybe there is an event near you (link to the respective national architects’ chamber website).
Otherwise, a split-level design can also be a good solution for hillside construction.
WD
Here is a new floor plan: we have now moved the living room to the lower level, and the ground floor is exclusively for sleeping areas. This resolves the previously mentioned issue with active teenagers. The entrance area is now significantly larger, providing ample space for a coat rack or wardrobe. You also do not need to pass through the sleeping areas. Please review critically again.