Dear all, I have been following the discussions in this forum for some time and find the feedback on individual questions very helpful. We are building for the first time – with all the knowledge gaps that come with it… ;-)
Our plot is challenging because it is triangular, narrow, and has a requirement of 4m (13 feet) setbacks at the front building line and 20m (66 feet) to the tip. However, the orientation is great, and we have a beautiful distant view. We want to preserve as much garden space as possible and also enjoy an unobstructed view of nature and maximum sunlight – from sunrise to sunset. That’s why we are considering a partly “floating” living area on the upper floor with a terrace and access to the garden. Direct access from the ground floor to the garden is not a priority for us.
Due to building regulations, a large portion to the east remains undevelopable or possibly usable for outbuildings. Access is intended through this area, which will become the front garden. The house should be wheelchair accessible. The space should be used optimally, with plenty of storage, flexible, multifunctional rooms, and large floor-to-ceiling windows/doors or fixed glazing.
What do you think of our ideas? What weaknesses do you see?
Thanks in advance for any honest criticism and suggestions.
Development plan
Plot size – 590m2 (6350 sq ft)
Slight slope and southwest orientation
Maximum height – 8m (26 feet)
Client requirements
Clear lines, flat or shed roof
Floors – ground floor, upper floor, attic, total approx. 190m2 (2045 sq ft)
Occupants – 2 people in their prime and 2 dogs
Office: home office
Annual guest sleepers – 5 to 10
Open architecture
Construction method – modern design, clear and minimal shapes with interesting accents and deliberate contrasts that give the house a discreet uniqueness (facade, materials, etc.)
Open kitchen, possibly an island, but with some visual screening (bar or similar)
Number of dining seats – 8
Fireplace – ideally as a room divider between living and dining areas
Music/sound wall – soundbar at the TV, additional speakers distributed throughout the house
Balcony, roof terrace – on upper floor and attic
Carport for 2 cars
House design
Architect’s plan
Ground floor – entrance, utility rooms, fitness/work/guest room, bathroom & sauna
Upper floor – living, cooking & dining, close to nature, sunny, cozy, “public area,” terrace
Attic – bedrooms, sunny private retreat area, terrace
Garden – ideally visually extended, covered terrace, biotope near the terrace
What do you particularly like?
The open living-dining area on the first floor, the floor-to-ceiling windows, the path of the sun through the living area.
What do you not like?
We feel the room layout could be better, and maybe the same living feeling can be achieved with less square footage.
On the ground floor, only the sauna is shown; shower, sink, and toilet are still missing. The large room for fitness/work/guest use seems a bit oversized.
Preferred heating technology: geothermal probes and photovoltaic panels on the roof
Attachments: site plan, floor plans, exterior view
Our plot is challenging because it is triangular, narrow, and has a requirement of 4m (13 feet) setbacks at the front building line and 20m (66 feet) to the tip. However, the orientation is great, and we have a beautiful distant view. We want to preserve as much garden space as possible and also enjoy an unobstructed view of nature and maximum sunlight – from sunrise to sunset. That’s why we are considering a partly “floating” living area on the upper floor with a terrace and access to the garden. Direct access from the ground floor to the garden is not a priority for us.
Due to building regulations, a large portion to the east remains undevelopable or possibly usable for outbuildings. Access is intended through this area, which will become the front garden. The house should be wheelchair accessible. The space should be used optimally, with plenty of storage, flexible, multifunctional rooms, and large floor-to-ceiling windows/doors or fixed glazing.
What do you think of our ideas? What weaknesses do you see?
Thanks in advance for any honest criticism and suggestions.
Development plan
Plot size – 590m2 (6350 sq ft)
Slight slope and southwest orientation
Maximum height – 8m (26 feet)
Client requirements
Clear lines, flat or shed roof
Floors – ground floor, upper floor, attic, total approx. 190m2 (2045 sq ft)
Occupants – 2 people in their prime and 2 dogs
Office: home office
Annual guest sleepers – 5 to 10
Open architecture
Construction method – modern design, clear and minimal shapes with interesting accents and deliberate contrasts that give the house a discreet uniqueness (facade, materials, etc.)
Open kitchen, possibly an island, but with some visual screening (bar or similar)
Number of dining seats – 8
Fireplace – ideally as a room divider between living and dining areas
Music/sound wall – soundbar at the TV, additional speakers distributed throughout the house
Balcony, roof terrace – on upper floor and attic
Carport for 2 cars
House design
Architect’s plan
Ground floor – entrance, utility rooms, fitness/work/guest room, bathroom & sauna
Upper floor – living, cooking & dining, close to nature, sunny, cozy, “public area,” terrace
Attic – bedrooms, sunny private retreat area, terrace
Garden – ideally visually extended, covered terrace, biotope near the terrace
What do you particularly like?
The open living-dining area on the first floor, the floor-to-ceiling windows, the path of the sun through the living area.
What do you not like?
We feel the room layout could be better, and maybe the same living feeling can be achieved with less square footage.
On the ground floor, only the sauna is shown; shower, sink, and toilet are still missing. The large room for fitness/work/guest use seems a bit oversized.
Preferred heating technology: geothermal probes and photovoltaic panels on the roof
Attachments: site plan, floor plans, exterior view
Sunny_OE schrieb:
We would have a great view from the top floor, which is why we’re considering a three-story design Sunny_OE schrieb:
I think it was a mistake to post the exterior view because it’s misleading. This is just ONE possible design of how it could look. Maybe you should reconsider your priorities—great view versus accessibility.
A “great view” is nice, but you don’t usually spend the whole day sitting by the window. And if you do, you need to think about whether you’ll be able to get upstairs… and for how long. As far as I understand, you would also have a nice view from the living floor?! Are you mostly out walking with the dogs?
Sunny_OE schrieb:
Do you have any other thoughts on accessibility or possible issues? Thanks! The challenge is the situation at age 58: I assume that accessibility is being planned mostly as a precaution?
At 58, you’re still very much active, working (probably still at 70). This means nowadays you can probably use stairs actively and comfortably for another 20 years (unless there’s an accident or a disease that develops suddenly or gradually, which can happen to people in their 30s as well). However, experience from previous generations shows that starting around 50 (more or less), building a home should somewhat consider the later stage of life.
Many achieve this with a bungalow, while others buy a sloped lot for the great views… the latter is rather impractical but understandably a dream project for one’s own life—apparently your first house. You can tell by the long wish list that won’t fit the budget (I won’t go on about that now).
Still, your budget will be the key factor to help you clearly define what you want and what you can or must give up!
Building a house is rarely a wish fulfillment, and you have to humbly align with your budget or compromise for other reasons, e.g., if building on a slope.
My husband and I are roughly the same age with a mixed budget. When we built, we were 9 years younger. What started as a plan for a bungalow for two people ended up as two levels—mainly because I wanted to make the most of the house and a bungalow would have been too small. We are not elderly people satisfied with just two hospital beds. I am often surprised how some younger builders planning for children include a basement apartment for parents that turns out like a “bare room.”
I have my standards, and my husband’s bathroom doesn’t need grab bars for the bathtub… yet. He’ll probably prefer to carefully climb stairs even when his feet swell regularly rather than installing a stair lift. And if bedriddenness does occur, it might be temporary for the home office; long term none of us expect to provide full care for each other. In a wheelchair, you won’t be washing windows or rushing up and down floors for cleaning… things will have to be rearranged then.
Gerichtsdiener schrieb:
Especially at nearly 60 and without children, you really don’t need >200sqm over 3 floors, do you? Does every child need their own room? In short: you build what you can and want. A house should offer comfort, which everyone defines for themselves. Still, opinions and needs change. So I wouldn’t want to judge this as an outsider.
I could easily live in 200sqm with my hobbies and husband; I imagine TE @Sunny_OE could too. But I wonder if a 45sqm (approx. 480sq ft) mobile home might also bring joy 😉
Sunny_OE schrieb:
Two floors would be Plan B if the budget requires it. For now, we want to pursue Plan A. I will quote myself:
Maybe you should reconsider your priorities—great view versus accessibility.
In terms of budget, this could mean something smaller and simpler. Sight lines are also meant to create a sense of space where there isn’t much.
Think carefully about whether the panoramic space upstairs will really be used… similarly with the built-in sauna.
Basically, I would mix up the room distribution. But I must say: the floor-to-ceiling heights aren’t that different that you really need three levels?
Sunny_OE schrieb:
But the basement feels totally unbalanced to me; unfortunately, I don’t have a concrete idea how to improve it. I’d be grateful for suggestions. Gerichtsdiener schrieb:
Since you seem to have a good architect working with you, Is there really an architect involved?
Sunny_OE schrieb:
Do you have an idea about the WC? Would you keep the door as currently proposed? New idea, new draft… also consider a bit more privacy.
Quick sketch (without knowing the dimensions of the house plan): 154sqm (1660sq ft) including roof terrace, two stories, living room without terrace access due to slope… 450,000€, plus earthworks on slope 50,000€, plus special features like sauna, fireplace 50,000€ + contingency
i_b_n_a_n schrieb:
buying the floor coverings from the outlet, etc.?Cast asphalt screed is simply not available at outlets 😉Gerichtsdiener schrieb:
1)
Do you really want a room larger than 80m2 (860 sq ft) that serves all purposes? Have you ever stood in such a space? …
I would suggest reconsidering whether the floor area could be reduced closer to 160m2 (1,720 sq ft)?
2)
In my opinion, you should openly discuss with the architect whether it’s possible to arrange the rooms and floor area so that the house stays within two levels. I have a certain house design from England in mind.
3)
May I ask how far you are willing to go with this? Is it mainly about the impression of the space, with the kitchen possibly coming from IKEA, sanitary fixtures from a hardware store, …
4)
… The toilets are small compartments in which I, even in my early 30s, wouldn’t feel comfortable. … The doors should be 1m (39 inches) wide, the showers generous in size, and there should be enough maneuvering space inside the bathroom. First of all, many thanks for your thoughts and your friendly introduction. Regarding your comments:
1. I fully agree that the size might be reduced without significant drawbacks. I’m currently trying to picture how this could be done…
At present, we live in an open-plan living/dining/kitchen area of about 65m2 (700 sq ft). So the size is familiar to me. Since it’s only 2.60m (8.5 ft) high and not 5m (16.5 ft), there is no echo. We were planning ceiling heights between 2.80 and 3m (9.2 and 9.8 ft). We definitely want to keep this openness and spaciousness in the living area.
2. This house interests me a lot, and I would be glad if you could find a way to share more details about it.
3. Exactly – mainly, we want a thoughtful, functional, and creative room design. We are very flexible regarding materials and interior furnishings. It’s not about brands but high-quality products. We also have no problem with an IKEA kitchen if paired with fine tableware or an industrial-style floor with a great rug, for example.
4. Obviously, we prioritize living space over the size of the toilets… 😉 But I have taken note of your many points and see that we need to rethink here if accessibility is important to us.
Thanks again, and the reference to that house would be very much appreciated.
kbt09 schrieb:
I agree, but I would also plan the space and ceiling opening preparation for a so-called home lift. Something like that can be retrofitted later. That would also be one of our considerations. However, another architect told me that it doesn't make much sense because, at least with three floors, you have all the costs for the shaft and so on anyway, and basically only save the lift itself.
Malunga schrieb:
However, such a building should never suffer from a lack of budget, as that would ruin the entire atmosphere of a project like this.
You don’t want cheap flooring, white plastic windows, a standard kitchen, or lamps from a hardware store here.
…
There are great low-budget projects in this style, but they have to be fully embraced inside and out! Thank you 🙂
That’s exactly the point. We definitely don’t want the examples you mentioned. Although – we do have a lamp from a hardware store. We built it ourselves using electrical conduit pipes and connectors, with colorful cables from IKEA and simple bulbs. Visitors actually find it quite charming. 😉
If you have any examples of creative low-budget projects to share, I would be very grateful.
Aging without barriers is quite a challenge. Where are the difficulties? Up to what point will a couple continue living in the house? Regarding the elevator, I would guess for you it’s until professional care is no longer an option.
There is a site called nullbariere that provides information on turning circles, space requirements, and more. Doors with a width of 100 cm (39 inches) are good for wheelchair or walker access without causing sore ankles. It also doesn’t look like a hospital yet.
Imagine a situation where it simply becomes impossible, and you are pushing a walker; walking backwards becomes difficult, the care service assists with personal hygiene, bending down is hard, every threshold becomes a tripping hazard. Many still relatively fit seniors face one or more of these issues.
Install sockets higher up, have wide doors, no thresholds, no steps — for example, to the terrace — and use lift-and-slide doors instead of regular balcony doors.
There is a site called nullbariere that provides information on turning circles, space requirements, and more. Doors with a width of 100 cm (39 inches) are good for wheelchair or walker access without causing sore ankles. It also doesn’t look like a hospital yet.
Imagine a situation where it simply becomes impossible, and you are pushing a walker; walking backwards becomes difficult, the care service assists with personal hygiene, bending down is hard, every threshold becomes a tripping hazard. Many still relatively fit seniors face one or more of these issues.
Install sockets higher up, have wide doors, no thresholds, no steps — for example, to the terrace — and use lift-and-slide doors instead of regular balcony doors.
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