ᐅ The floor plan "HOUSE FOR TWO" covers approximately 150 sqm and is introduced here.
Created on: 3 Jul 2020 13:23
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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.
Just a question: If you have such a large plot of land, why does the upper floor have to be the same size and shape as the ground floor? Why can't the ground floor be larger, with the upper floor only consisting of, for example, a master suite with a walk-in closet and bathroom? The roof could be a gable roof, but part of the living/dining area could have a flat roof with skylights.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
....one should not accept anything from strange women.....that’s what I was taught as a young man; because it could be dangerous. Well, that idea is outdated in times of equality.
More for me then.
Check out Nullbarriere online. There you’ll find bathrooms and bedrooms designed with barrier-free access in mind. If you plan for scenario X, it should also work.
By the way, you can design turning areas and space for wheelchairs or walkers without making it obviously look like a hospital or nursing home. Definitely reinforce the wall installations in the toilets for grab bars and install a power outlet nearby. Fixtures can be adjusted as needed.
I’m not sure if I wouldn’t switch the bedroom and the gallery. When do you get the best lake view? With your eyes closed or while enjoying a glass of wine, coffee, or a cigar, chatting with friends?
If you swap them, put the guest room with the bedroom so the whole age discussion becomes irrelevant.
H
hampshire4 Jul 2020 08:37When planning a renovation for the possibility of reduced physical mobility, you don’t need to think of the interior walls as fixed for the coming decades.
Therefore: install some robust electrical wiring in the relevant places and consider whether you can run water and waste pipes to an area that is not currently needed but is likely to be adapted later during renovation.
An open-plan house like yours has a certain flexibility. Just plan for it accordingly, and that’s all there is to it.
- A stair incline platform lift for wheelchairs can fit in the space where the stairs are.
- The bedroom can be moved forward onto the mezzanine, adding a wall if needed—or not, if someone bedridden still wants to participate in daily life—or the wall can be made variable, able to open and close.
- The bathroom can then be enlarged into the current sleeping area—if the walls are not load-bearing, this can be designed structurally.
- A standard elevator could also fit into the house.
Therefore: install some robust electrical wiring in the relevant places and consider whether you can run water and waste pipes to an area that is not currently needed but is likely to be adapted later during renovation.
An open-plan house like yours has a certain flexibility. Just plan for it accordingly, and that’s all there is to it.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
so much for the short way to the bathroom and all that....At some point, you just have to face the facts pagoni2020 schrieb:
Guest toilet exclusively for casual visitors without overnight stay entitlement; not really feasible upstairs.That was just one of our scenarios, basically taking the best for ourselves and making the guest come crawling.pagoni2020 schrieb:
Entry works, I’ve done it exactly here oncenot with the toilet right in front!pagoni2020 schrieb:
Many possible scenarios.And that’s exactly the point: not to plan for possible scenarios later on involving renovations, tearing down walls, installing technical equipment (we’ll see what comes), but to build it now optimally for us older generations. I’m certainly not a fan of houses built by young families that include every eventuality of disability. But when a senior and a soon-to-be senior build a house FOR TWO, it can be planned and built from the start elegantly without later remodeling.pagoni2020 schrieb:
West sun, of course.... but there are neighboring houses, etc.,Neighbors are everywhere, but that’s what strip windows and hedges are for.As I said before: Our house is also a HOUSE FOR TWO, with twice as much living space on the ground floor as upstairs.... but unfortunately we didn’t consistently implement the mentioned (switching guest/bedroom), and that can annoy me. And you will still remember my words, I know that.
P
pagoni20204 Jul 2020 10:00@evelinoz No, that didn’t necessarily have to be the case, but we deliberately stayed quite close to the development plan after being informed in advance about which aspects would definitely be approved. Within those boundaries, we had plenty of room for creativity. If there was something we absolutely needed, we would have applied for an exception.
@haydee The more I read this, the more I wonder if I should just move into a care home... In principle, every homeowner should build barrier-free since they are constructing their house for old age as well (at least that is the general intention). I believe you have to be willing and know when to make a new decision depending on the situation, without regretting previous ones. From our own diverse experience, we know that structural modifications cover only a small part of this issue and are the easiest to change.
We don’t want to take drastic measures but enjoy comfortable living. Where life definitely requires change, change will happen. I think this willingness is more important than the most delicate structural modification made in anticipation of a specific physical limitation. However, I often notice that even young people struggle to accept necessary changes. Wommmmmm.
Swapping the bedroom and gallery also has some appeal, especially with the option to move the living room upstairs and create a small relaxation area around the fireplace on the ground floor.
The many inspiring suggestions lead to reconsidering the layout (except kitchen and dining) to see if it could improve our quality of living. Your idea definitely has potential; just like the image of enjoying a glass of red wine and a steaming cigar by the lake early in the morning. How romantic. Since we currently have an amazing natural view from the bed, maybe we’re a bit fixed on keeping that. We are thinking it over…
@hampshire
A very good approach, similar to what we have in mind. Lightweight partition walls and a few empty conduits, among other things, make these ideas feasible. I’m less worried overall since I have implemented such changes several times according to need or preference. I think I even enjoy remodeling. Somehow, I have mentally rebuilt or extended the house several times depending on the imagined situation, so I know there are options.
Thank you very much for the new inspiration.
@haydee The more I read this, the more I wonder if I should just move into a care home... In principle, every homeowner should build barrier-free since they are constructing their house for old age as well (at least that is the general intention). I believe you have to be willing and know when to make a new decision depending on the situation, without regretting previous ones. From our own diverse experience, we know that structural modifications cover only a small part of this issue and are the easiest to change.
We don’t want to take drastic measures but enjoy comfortable living. Where life definitely requires change, change will happen. I think this willingness is more important than the most delicate structural modification made in anticipation of a specific physical limitation. However, I often notice that even young people struggle to accept necessary changes. Wommmmmm.
Swapping the bedroom and gallery also has some appeal, especially with the option to move the living room upstairs and create a small relaxation area around the fireplace on the ground floor.
The many inspiring suggestions lead to reconsidering the layout (except kitchen and dining) to see if it could improve our quality of living. Your idea definitely has potential; just like the image of enjoying a glass of red wine and a steaming cigar by the lake early in the morning. How romantic. Since we currently have an amazing natural view from the bed, maybe we’re a bit fixed on keeping that. We are thinking it over…
@hampshire
A very good approach, similar to what we have in mind. Lightweight partition walls and a few empty conduits, among other things, make these ideas feasible. I’m less worried overall since I have implemented such changes several times according to need or preference. I think I even enjoy remodeling. Somehow, I have mentally rebuilt or extended the house several times depending on the imagined situation, so I know there are options.
Thank you very much for the new inspiration.
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