ᐅ The floor plan "HOUSE FOR TWO" covers approximately 150 sqm and is introduced here.
Created on: 3 Jul 2020 13:23
P
pagoni2020
So – now I’m presenting our “House Project for Two” expecting your honest and maybe harsh feedback. Don’t hold back, as I can only benefit from it.
The building permit / planning permission application is currently being submitted, and preliminary information suggests it should be approved. We deliberately avoided too many deviations from the very old development plan.
We like a modern, minimalist architectural style. The floor plan is a mix of our own living habits, our existing furniture including the kitchen, and the budget, since at this stage of life we don’t want to take on risky debt.
Our current condominium is very stylish and was just recently customized by ourselves, but life changes; besides, we want to be able to have a small fire in our own garden again.
We are now building with a general contractor (GC) who has a good reputation and has already allowed us to change many things without stress – so far. Ideally, we would have built with an independent architect or our friend who is an interior architect, which would have given us more freedom in choosing trades, but this time we want to focus more on details and avoid the running around that happened the first time, 30 years ago. No, this time I won’t be digging foundations or pouring the basement myself until my family doesn’t recognize me anymore.
Whether it will be a garage, carport, or parking space depends on the costs, as does the attached balcony, which would then be a so-called standing balcony; initially, it just needs to be approved. There will also be a larger garden house with an outdoor sauna.
The plot is quite large and has a nice view of greenery. Unfortunately, only to the north, about 500 m (1600 ft) away and at a lower level, there is a beautiful lake. For this reason alone, we decided not to build a bungalow, since having a lake view and not using it was out of the question (hence the “emergency balcony” at the bedroom). Originally, a house with a bend was planned, but it always looked ugly in the end.
HOUSE FOR TWO
Plot size: 1400 sqm (15,000 sq ft)
Slope: No
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 1.5
Roof type: Gable roof
Architectural style: modern-minimalist
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type: clean lines
Basement, floors: no basement
Number of occupants, age: 2 (one of them still works a bit more…)
Guest stays per year: quite often, alternating
Conservative or modern construction: modern, open plan
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 4
Fireplace: yes/no/undecided, possibly also gas fireplace
Balcony, roof terrace: possibly a balcony at the bedroom for lake view
Garage, carport: yes, depending on price
Additional wishes, etc.:
Separate guest area, possibly as a bedroom in old age, then guests upstairs
Custom furniture and kitchen integrated
Separate TV area from the gallery, next to it a separate relaxation area with recliner
Kitchen with 120 cm (47 inch) side-by-side refrigerator or 70 cm (28 inch) refrigerator by the window side
Monolithic Rock XL1 wood stove available, chimney planned outside for lower costs, appearance, and less space inside
Ground floor window areas separated by masonry walls due to chimney, possibly refrigerator placement but especially due to manufacturer’s limited width (according to GC)
Original idea was continuous window surfaces up to the eaves in living/dining area, now separated at ceiling height by masonry strip
Some parts in the plan/floor plan not labeled correctly yet (GC design implementation)
House design, who designed it: by the clients + partial coordination with interior architect, currently executed by a builder’s planner
What do you like most and why?
Simple architectural style, gallery, spacious window surfaces, external blinds, open layout
What don’t you like and why? I’m sure I’ll read about it here
Estimated price according to architect/planner: -
Features: The goal is to invest selectively and sensibly but consistently omit unnecessary, cost-driving frills (in my opinion)
Preferred heating system: undecided, unfortunately no gas connection available
If you had to skip something, which details or extensions could you do without? Maybe the fireplace… I’m still unsure about the location, I would like a built-in gas fireplace under the stairs, but only for that would we get a liquefied gas tank?
Why is the design the way it is? For example:
Own life circumstances, existing furniture, individual living habits
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
I welcome direct and constructive assessments. The building shape and location of carport/garage are fixed. The focus of questions is on layout details and usage/design options.
There will be a glass roof or slatted shading in front of the kitchen area.
The plot is almost flat, and the outdoor area will be simple and user-friendly, with a larger garden house including outdoor sauna, storage for gadgets, tools, etc.
The building permit / planning permission application is currently being submitted, and preliminary information suggests it should be approved. We deliberately avoided too many deviations from the very old development plan.
We like a modern, minimalist architectural style. The floor plan is a mix of our own living habits, our existing furniture including the kitchen, and the budget, since at this stage of life we don’t want to take on risky debt.
Our current condominium is very stylish and was just recently customized by ourselves, but life changes; besides, we want to be able to have a small fire in our own garden again.
We are now building with a general contractor (GC) who has a good reputation and has already allowed us to change many things without stress – so far. Ideally, we would have built with an independent architect or our friend who is an interior architect, which would have given us more freedom in choosing trades, but this time we want to focus more on details and avoid the running around that happened the first time, 30 years ago. No, this time I won’t be digging foundations or pouring the basement myself until my family doesn’t recognize me anymore.
Whether it will be a garage, carport, or parking space depends on the costs, as does the attached balcony, which would then be a so-called standing balcony; initially, it just needs to be approved. There will also be a larger garden house with an outdoor sauna.
The plot is quite large and has a nice view of greenery. Unfortunately, only to the north, about 500 m (1600 ft) away and at a lower level, there is a beautiful lake. For this reason alone, we decided not to build a bungalow, since having a lake view and not using it was out of the question (hence the “emergency balcony” at the bedroom). Originally, a house with a bend was planned, but it always looked ugly in the end.
HOUSE FOR TWO
Plot size: 1400 sqm (15,000 sq ft)
Slope: No
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 1.5
Roof type: Gable roof
Architectural style: modern-minimalist
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type: clean lines
Basement, floors: no basement
Number of occupants, age: 2 (one of them still works a bit more…)
Guest stays per year: quite often, alternating
Conservative or modern construction: modern, open plan
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 4
Fireplace: yes/no/undecided, possibly also gas fireplace
Balcony, roof terrace: possibly a balcony at the bedroom for lake view
Garage, carport: yes, depending on price
Additional wishes, etc.:
Separate guest area, possibly as a bedroom in old age, then guests upstairs
Custom furniture and kitchen integrated
Separate TV area from the gallery, next to it a separate relaxation area with recliner
Kitchen with 120 cm (47 inch) side-by-side refrigerator or 70 cm (28 inch) refrigerator by the window side
Monolithic Rock XL1 wood stove available, chimney planned outside for lower costs, appearance, and less space inside
Ground floor window areas separated by masonry walls due to chimney, possibly refrigerator placement but especially due to manufacturer’s limited width (according to GC)
Original idea was continuous window surfaces up to the eaves in living/dining area, now separated at ceiling height by masonry strip
Some parts in the plan/floor plan not labeled correctly yet (GC design implementation)
House design, who designed it: by the clients + partial coordination with interior architect, currently executed by a builder’s planner
What do you like most and why?
Simple architectural style, gallery, spacious window surfaces, external blinds, open layout
What don’t you like and why? I’m sure I’ll read about it here
Estimated price according to architect/planner: -
Features: The goal is to invest selectively and sensibly but consistently omit unnecessary, cost-driving frills (in my opinion)
Preferred heating system: undecided, unfortunately no gas connection available
If you had to skip something, which details or extensions could you do without? Maybe the fireplace… I’m still unsure about the location, I would like a built-in gas fireplace under the stairs, but only for that would we get a liquefied gas tank?
Why is the design the way it is? For example:
Own life circumstances, existing furniture, individual living habits
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
I welcome direct and constructive assessments. The building shape and location of carport/garage are fixed. The focus of questions is on layout details and usage/design options.
There will be a glass roof or slatted shading in front of the kitchen area.
The plot is almost flat, and the outdoor area will be simple and user-friendly, with a larger garden house including outdoor sauna, storage for gadgets, tools, etc.
P
pagoni20203 Jul 2020 15:34The thing about the TV is accurate, but it's due to our (my) previous TV habits since the TV has always been located outside the living room. However, I will have a connection installed there between the dining and living areas and the guest room. The fireplace is currently located in that area, but I am still figuring out the details with it....
It’s quite funny. We originally had that extra space in the upper floor on the opposite side—that is, to the left after the stairs—as an office or similar.
During the process of downsizing, we left that out because it wasn’t strictly necessary and it would have blocked part of the living room from above. However, it is still an option and might actually be cozier if the gallery turns the corner.
The spot where you marked it, we had also considered, but it was sacrificed to make room for shifting the bathroom/bedroom and because there were issues with supporting the concrete ceiling there. Still, we will definitely keep an eye on it.
We have agreed that such details can still be adjusted.
It’s always a trade-off between the view of the lake, the needs and furniture we own, and not necessarily adding more space.
Originally, the design was different: the living room windows would have extended continuously all the way up to just under the eaves without a lintel or beam, meaning that supporting the ceiling there would not have been possible—or only with posts.
See below.... but then we would have needed huge roller shutters and would have had to split them lengthwise.
That remains an option... even if it might look somewhat cathedral-like.
Thanks for the input... we’re on it.
It’s quite funny. We originally had that extra space in the upper floor on the opposite side—that is, to the left after the stairs—as an office or similar.
During the process of downsizing, we left that out because it wasn’t strictly necessary and it would have blocked part of the living room from above. However, it is still an option and might actually be cozier if the gallery turns the corner.
The spot where you marked it, we had also considered, but it was sacrificed to make room for shifting the bathroom/bedroom and because there were issues with supporting the concrete ceiling there. Still, we will definitely keep an eye on it.
We have agreed that such details can still be adjusted.
It’s always a trade-off between the view of the lake, the needs and furniture we own, and not necessarily adding more space.
Originally, the design was different: the living room windows would have extended continuously all the way up to just under the eaves without a lintel or beam, meaning that supporting the ceiling there would not have been possible—or only with posts.
See below.... but then we would have needed huge roller shutters and would have had to split them lengthwise.
That remains an option... even if it might look somewhat cathedral-like.
Thanks for the input... we’re on it.
A
Aphrodithe3 Jul 2020 16:42Don't like it! The upper floor is a complete waste of space, which makes the ground floor feel cramped! It works better for two people! If you swap the utility room and guest toilet upstairs with the stairwell, you get a nice, spacious living and dining area downstairs! For two people, you can design it openly and generously without needing such a narrow, long room!
I’m not entirely happy with this either. Does the door between the kitchen and the utility room have to be there, or could the access be from the hallway instead?
The bedroom/closet area/bathroom feels cramped. Don’t you need a storage room, or will the gallery be filled with cabinets instead? Personally, I would also miss having a home office.
Overall, it’s a lot of space for two people, but the large gallery heavily restricts the rest of the layout.
If sleeping on the ground floor ever becomes necessary, the guest room is far too small. It also needs to fit a closet.
This can definitely be done better!
The bedroom/closet area/bathroom feels cramped. Don’t you need a storage room, or will the gallery be filled with cabinets instead? Personally, I would also miss having a home office.
Overall, it’s a lot of space for two people, but the large gallery heavily restricts the rest of the layout.
If sleeping on the ground floor ever becomes necessary, the guest room is far too small. It also needs to fit a closet.
This can definitely be done better!
S
saralina873 Jul 2020 17:19I generally like it, but for two people it would simply be too large. I would probably emphasize the lake view much more and arrange the layout completely differently (kitchen and dining area upstairs, living room downstairs), but as I said, I basically like it as it is.
I already like the long rectangular house design.
How do you plan to support the roof? Will there be columns near the staircase?
Do you always have to walk around the staircase to get to the bedroom?
The door to the utility room could be integrated into the kitchen frontage. Check with @Climbee
I would actually expand the kitchen further into the utility room area, creating niches. This works well for a long, narrow room and visually enlarges the space.
How do you plan to support the roof? Will there be columns near the staircase?
Do you always have to walk around the staircase to get to the bedroom?
The door to the utility room could be integrated into the kitchen frontage. Check with @Climbee
I would actually expand the kitchen further into the utility room area, creating niches. This works well for a long, narrow room and visually enlarges the space.
P
pagoni20203 Jul 2020 17:24@Aphrodithe
If the guest room is upstairs, the shower/toilet should also be moved upstairs. However, that would eliminate the option of using the current guest room as a bedroom for older family members.
Unfortunately, the gallery is not labeled clearly, sorry. Currently, to the left of the staircase is an open space above the dining room and living area, and to the right of the stairs, there is space for a lounge chair with movable furniture, followed by a large lounge/seating area for the TV near the bedroom.
I understand that having more space downstairs would be nice, especially since we’re used to having a lot of room. On the other hand, we – as is currently planned – want two separate areas for lounging and TV, which could also be located downstairs.
We’ll reconsider the guest room.
If we swap the utility room and the toilet and move the guest room upstairs, the area near the kitchen will become larger, is that what you mean?
@Ibdk14
A door from the hallway is also an option; we’ve considered that before. Until now, the reason was to use the utility room also as a pantry, accessed directly from the kitchen. This is also related to the existing kitchen cabinets.
The bedroom wardrobes are sufficient; the gallery is intended to have more of a minimalist feel – no clutter, just a few stylish, lightweight shelves or boards where it fits.
We reduced the workspace to save space and because we have it but don’t really use it. It’s still something we’re keeping in mind.
We might need to reconsider whether we want to give less importance to the spaciousness of the gallery, although we actually like it. Downstairs, we thought the large glass surfaces and the open space would create a generous impression.
Many thanks to both of you for your input.
If the guest room is upstairs, the shower/toilet should also be moved upstairs. However, that would eliminate the option of using the current guest room as a bedroom for older family members.
Unfortunately, the gallery is not labeled clearly, sorry. Currently, to the left of the staircase is an open space above the dining room and living area, and to the right of the stairs, there is space for a lounge chair with movable furniture, followed by a large lounge/seating area for the TV near the bedroom.
I understand that having more space downstairs would be nice, especially since we’re used to having a lot of room. On the other hand, we – as is currently planned – want two separate areas for lounging and TV, which could also be located downstairs.
We’ll reconsider the guest room.
If we swap the utility room and the toilet and move the guest room upstairs, the area near the kitchen will become larger, is that what you mean?
@Ibdk14
A door from the hallway is also an option; we’ve considered that before. Until now, the reason was to use the utility room also as a pantry, accessed directly from the kitchen. This is also related to the existing kitchen cabinets.
The bedroom wardrobes are sufficient; the gallery is intended to have more of a minimalist feel – no clutter, just a few stylish, lightweight shelves or boards where it fits.
We reduced the workspace to save space and because we have it but don’t really use it. It’s still something we’re keeping in mind.
We might need to reconsider whether we want to give less importance to the spaciousness of the gallery, although we actually like it. Downstairs, we thought the large glass surfaces and the open space would create a generous impression.
Many thanks to both of you for your input.
Similar topics