ᐅ Vacation Home Floor Plan Tuscany – 175 sqm on a Moderate Hillside Location
Created on: 22 Oct 2024 23:37
J
Janne01
Hello everyone,
I have been reading the forum for a while now and am impressed by the amount of information and tips shared here. If possible, I would also like to hear your opinions and assessments regarding our project.
We are still in the planning phase and have had initial discussions with our architects. Therefore, the information base is limited. Nevertheless, I would already like to receive feedback from you about what we should definitely pay attention to, what you think is realistic, and so on.
About the project: We have purchased a plot of land in Tuscany (10,500 sqm (2.6 acres)) located on a hillside (I would say a moderate slope / with an elevation change of 2m (6.5 ft) across the area where the house will be built), overlooking a small town in the valley and the hills of Tuscany. The plot faces northeast. The house (and later a small separate studio as well as a pool) will be a gathering place for the entire family.
The architects have already created initial floor plan drafts and have also consulted with the relevant authorities regarding size and construction method to ensure that the volume can be built as planned. An official building permit / planning permission has not yet been granted, as it is still early in the process.
I have attached a topographic map showing the house positioning as the architects suggested it would be most sensible, especially considering the view (towards the northeast). There is another house nearby that is already connected to electricity and water. The water is sourced from a spring. The pipes run along the lower edge of our plot, meaning the water must be brought up to the house (height difference about 7m (23 ft)).
We are commissioning the architects for the entire process, including tendering, bid comparison, work acceptance, site supervision, construction management, submitting applications, dealing with authorities … really everything, since we will not be on site. The architects are established in the region and have completed many projects there (for private clients, hotels, municipalities). They want EUR 80,000 plus VAT for the complete service, approximately EUR 100,000 gross in total. This also includes structural engineering, soil reports (already available), surveying, etc. They are designing the main house, studio, and outdoor areas. However, due to budget restrictions, only the main house will be built initially.
Budget: For the house, including earthworks, slab foundation, ancillary costs, taxes, and immediate outdoor areas around the house, we have communicated a budget of EUR 540,000 to the architects. The house has a floor area of about 175 sqm (1,883 sq ft) over two floors. We want to build the house using separate contracts. The architect believes this approach can make the project about 20–30% cheaper compared to a turnkey contract. He would, however, like to obtain a comparable turnkey offer for comparison. He mentioned Rubner as a potential home builder.
How do you assess the costs for the architects? How do you see the project budget-wise, and are there aspects we should pay close attention to? What do you think of the floor plan? I wonder if there is enough storage space. Maybe this is still too early a detail, but would you install air conditioning, and on the northeast side, would a pergola be sufficient for shading the kitchen/living area, or would you recommend blinds or shutters instead?
Thank you very much for your help in advance
I have been reading the forum for a while now and am impressed by the amount of information and tips shared here. If possible, I would also like to hear your opinions and assessments regarding our project.
We are still in the planning phase and have had initial discussions with our architects. Therefore, the information base is limited. Nevertheless, I would already like to receive feedback from you about what we should definitely pay attention to, what you think is realistic, and so on.
About the project: We have purchased a plot of land in Tuscany (10,500 sqm (2.6 acres)) located on a hillside (I would say a moderate slope / with an elevation change of 2m (6.5 ft) across the area where the house will be built), overlooking a small town in the valley and the hills of Tuscany. The plot faces northeast. The house (and later a small separate studio as well as a pool) will be a gathering place for the entire family.
The architects have already created initial floor plan drafts and have also consulted with the relevant authorities regarding size and construction method to ensure that the volume can be built as planned. An official building permit / planning permission has not yet been granted, as it is still early in the process.
I have attached a topographic map showing the house positioning as the architects suggested it would be most sensible, especially considering the view (towards the northeast). There is another house nearby that is already connected to electricity and water. The water is sourced from a spring. The pipes run along the lower edge of our plot, meaning the water must be brought up to the house (height difference about 7m (23 ft)).
We are commissioning the architects for the entire process, including tendering, bid comparison, work acceptance, site supervision, construction management, submitting applications, dealing with authorities … really everything, since we will not be on site. The architects are established in the region and have completed many projects there (for private clients, hotels, municipalities). They want EUR 80,000 plus VAT for the complete service, approximately EUR 100,000 gross in total. This also includes structural engineering, soil reports (already available), surveying, etc. They are designing the main house, studio, and outdoor areas. However, due to budget restrictions, only the main house will be built initially.
Budget: For the house, including earthworks, slab foundation, ancillary costs, taxes, and immediate outdoor areas around the house, we have communicated a budget of EUR 540,000 to the architects. The house has a floor area of about 175 sqm (1,883 sq ft) over two floors. We want to build the house using separate contracts. The architect believes this approach can make the project about 20–30% cheaper compared to a turnkey contract. He would, however, like to obtain a comparable turnkey offer for comparison. He mentioned Rubner as a potential home builder.
How do you assess the costs for the architects? How do you see the project budget-wise, and are there aspects we should pay close attention to? What do you think of the floor plan? I wonder if there is enough storage space. Maybe this is still too early a detail, but would you install air conditioning, and on the northeast side, would a pergola be sufficient for shading the kitchen/living area, or would you recommend blinds or shutters instead?
Thank you very much for your help in advance
H
hanghaus202324 Oct 2024 08:51Janne01 schrieb:
This is a covered area in front of the main entrance that also increases the floor space of the room above.The area is fully enclosed with walls. It is completely dark. I wouldn’t like it that way.nordanney schrieb:
A vacation home is always "just for fun," right? It’s like a "Porsche" just for fun. Anyone who can afford to build a vacation home in Tuscany alongside their other property in Germany is definitely not among the low-income group. The reasons don’t really matter—they have the money. So what? Over 50% here are just for fun, the only question is whether someone sets a measuring stick for that. Any potential wealth doesn’t need to be discussed here and has no real relevance in terms of how someone approaches such a project; to me, that’s too black-and-white.
I actually think it’s great that someone presents such an unusual project so openly and without a predetermined outcome. Unfortunately, that openness seems to have declined here somewhat, from what I’ve read. In older posts, unique projects were more often detailed and openly shared.
@Janne01 Apparently, I’m not the only one finding it difficult to focus specifically on your project or floor plan. Usually, houses are built where a couple or family with or without small children intend to live soon and also long-term; the primary focus is residential use. That’s usually easy to imagine, and normal routines like school runs, shopping, storage, commuting, home office, growing children’s changing needs, and much more create certain requirements and thus significantly influence the individual floor plan and design.
Here, however, there is a completely different background that only you know in detail. What are your preferences? Who maintains/care for the property during absences? Will there be frequent big family gatherings? Will you arrive with just a suitcase each time, or will everything be available twice? Is it purely a holiday/vacation home?
Without knowing your very specific wishes and ideas, it’s hard to offer useful help—and that’s why the floor plan turned out the way it did, which I personally don’t like at all.
We can’t predict your needs or habits 15 years from now or plan accordingly—obviously, you don’t know them yourself yet.
ypg schrieb:
Do you already own a house, or will this be your first? Good question
H
hanghaus202324 Oct 2024 15:44That looks better without the DT.
The architect is charging 100k for planning on a budget of 500 - 550k. That seems quite expensive to me.
Did the architect also show you any other designs?
The architect is charging 100k for planning on a budget of 500 - 550k. That seems quite expensive to me.
Did the architect also show you any other designs?
ypg schrieb:
who plans his house as if he doesn’t live on the property, but only sticks to a windowpane – from the inside, of course.There is some truth to that. However, I have to emphasize that a beautiful view at any time (inside or outside the house) has always been something wonderful to me, something I really enjoy and appreciate.Nida35a schrieb:
Take a look at floor plans of houses from 1800-1900 in the South; they were built without air conditioning, and the houses were simply livable without huge windows.I agree. They are beautiful houses full of charm. For me, though, it’s difficult to combine that style. If I have to choose, I prefer the open style that offers plenty of space to breathe.ypg schrieb:
Do you already have a house, or will this be your first one?We live in an apartment without a garden.hanghaus2023 schrieb:
The area is completely enclosed by walls. It’s totally dark. I wouldn’t like it that way.I had the same thought. Thanks for pointing it out.Arauki11 schrieb:
But there is a very different background here, which only you know in the real details. What are your preferences, who will maintain/care for the property when you are away, will there be frequent large family gatherings, will you travel with just a suitcase or will everything be available twice, is it purely a holiday/vacation home?A basic equipment will be available there as well. The problem is, of course, that we don’t know our exact needs in 15 years. Life sometimes plays strange tricks and holds the unexpected. But I’m not thinking about the project on that basis. I want memories to be created there with family and friends. But also that my wife and I can enjoy a relaxing time there alone. I can hardly be more specific. The house should provide a shell for that.hanghaus2023 schrieb:
The architect is charging 100k for planning for a 500 - 550k budget. That seems quite expensive to me.I was taken aback at first as well. Thinking about it, it’s somewhat reasonable (although it’s still an enormous amount of money). Because I figure he must take care of everything, and I mean really everything, on my behalf. It’s like he’s building his own house. I don’t have to tell you how complex and time-consuming that is. Would you still say the fee is unjustified? As I mentioned elsewhere, soil investigation, structural engineer, and everything related to engineering is included in that amount.hanghaus2023 schrieb:
Has the architect not also shown you other designs?No. We only dealt with this one in slightly modified versions.N
nordanney24 Oct 2024 18:19Janne01 schrieb:
At first, I was quite shocked. But when I think about it, it puts things into perspective a bit (though it’s still an incredible amount of money). The reason is that I figure he has to take care of everything, and I mean really everything, in my name. It’s like he’s building his own house. I don’t have to tell you how complex and time-consuming that is. Would you still say that the amount isn’t justified? As I mentioned elsewhere, soil surveys, structural engineer, and all engineering-related services are included in this amount. For comparison with Germany, you can use the HOAI calculator. Then you’ll see that architects in Germany charge a comparable price. In that sense, the price is consistent. However, I don’t know if the general price level in Italy might be quite different (Italy also has a fee structure similar to the HOAI system).
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