ᐅ Floor plan design for an urban villa of approximately 160 m² without a basement
Created on: 3 Apr 2018 14:35
Z
Zisu2000
Hello everyone,
we are almost finished with our planning phase. That’s why we would like to hear your opinion on the floor plan of the house. I have been enthusiastically reading this forum for months now. I especially appreciate the helpfulness and the respectful tone here. However, this does not mean you shouldn’t give criticism. We are grateful for any comments or ideas for improvement.
A small issue is the orientation of the plot. Our main facade faces southwest, but once the house is built, there will be only about 6 meters (20 feet) to the neighboring property (depending on where the double garage is placed). The main garden is also oriented to the northwest. We planned the terrace in an L-shape from southwest to northwest. We will probably spend more time on the northwest terrace (which is why there is a sliding door leading outside there). If the main facade (living/dining area) were oriented northwest, I think the living room might become too dark (north-facing). But I’m open to being corrected if that is not the case.
Initially, there was an office planned on the ground floor. But that would have made the kitchen too small. We have now planned the office on the upper floor, which is fine for us. The bathroom is located on the north side but has a good size (should be sufficient). At first, we wanted a T-shaped layout (probably because it is often seen in model homes and we liked it there). However, I think an L-shaped layout might be better here. In front of the toilet, there is a planned privacy wall about 1 meter high (3 feet).
I have marked the floor plans with compass directions and measurements. The house measures about 10 x 10 meters (33 x 33 feet) externally (this does not have to remain that way). I also sent furnished versions of the floor plans. The plot is included as well, but without a building envelope shown (full width and about 20 meters (66 feet) deep from the street). The attached exterior views match the floor plan, except the street view on the ground floor has changed slightly (kitchen and pantry windows are different from the exterior view). Additionally, in the floor plan, the sliding door in the living room has been shifted slightly inward to avoid the couch blocking access to the terrace.
For the exterior views, the street is unfortunately shown on the wrong side (now southeast as per the floor plan). We had originally planned for a different plot, but there were some issues (slope, etc.). We were able to acquire this plot at short notice. The garage is also shown rotated and does not necessarily have to have a separation from the house.
I’m sure I have forgotten some things but I will try to answer your replies as quickly as possible. We are looking forward to your opinions/criticism.
Best regards from Bavaria
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: approx. 825 m² (approx. 8,880 sq ft)
Slope: none
Floor Area Ratio (FAR): 0.4
Building Coverage Ratio / building envelope / building line and boundary: Building envelope covers the full width of the plot, about 20 meters (66 feet) deep from the street
Edge development
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2 full floors
Roof style: gable roof, hip roof, shed roof
Architectural style: urban villa
Orientation: freely selectable
Maximum height restrictions: max. 8 meters (26 feet) height
Other requirements
Client Requirements
Style, roof shape, building type: urban villa, hipped or pyramid roof with 22-degree pitch
Basement, floors: slab-on-grade only, 2 full floors
Number of occupants, age: 2 persons (33, 30)
Space requirements ground floor, upper floor: approx. 80 m² (860 sq ft), total approx. 160 m² (1,720 sq ft)
Office: family use or home office? family use
Guest stays per year: approx. 10
Open or closed architecture: open
Conservative or modern style: modern
Open kitchen, cooking island: open kitchen with island
Number of dining seats: 4–6
Fireplace: yes, currently not shown on plan (not sure where exactly yet)
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: double garage, preferably right side of the house (flush) at the property line, exact location still uncertain
Kitchen garden, greenhouse: no
Other wishes / special features / daily routines, please also explain reasons why or why not:
Must have:
- large open living/dining/kitchen area
- bright living/dining area with 5 floor-to-ceiling windows here
- pantry
- large bathroom (hence swapping with office/guest room)
- fireplace
- walk-in closet
House Design
Who designed the plans:
- planner from a building company (originally with office on ground floor)
- do-it-yourself (current plan slightly adjusted since office on the ground floor was removed)
What do you especially like? Why?
- large open living/dining area
- pantry
What don’t you like? Why?
- is the entrance area big enough?
- is parking on the right side directly next to the house possible and convenient?
- entrance unfortunately on the right side of the house, not at the front; not a big problem
Price estimate according to architect/planner: approx. €290,000 (house and slab only)
Personal price limit, including fixtures and fittings: approx. €400,000
Preferred heating system: air-to-water heat pump, full underfloor heating
If you had to give up something, which details / features?
- could give up: straight staircase (could have a different shape)
- could not give up: large living/dining area, open kitchen, fireplace
Why is the design as it is now?
Initially planned with office on the ground floor. The technical room was in front of the kitchen (now pantry), which made the kitchen too small (noticed during measuring). The office has now been replaced with the technical room and moved upstairs (which is okay for us).
Standard design from the planner?
Which client requests have been implemented?
Almost all, but at that time still with office on ground floor
A mix of many examples from various magazines...
What makes it particularly good or bad in your eyes?
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
Is the layout okay? Is the hallway spacious and bright enough? Should rooms be arranged or divided differently? Is sun orientation okay?
we are almost finished with our planning phase. That’s why we would like to hear your opinion on the floor plan of the house. I have been enthusiastically reading this forum for months now. I especially appreciate the helpfulness and the respectful tone here. However, this does not mean you shouldn’t give criticism. We are grateful for any comments or ideas for improvement.
A small issue is the orientation of the plot. Our main facade faces southwest, but once the house is built, there will be only about 6 meters (20 feet) to the neighboring property (depending on where the double garage is placed). The main garden is also oriented to the northwest. We planned the terrace in an L-shape from southwest to northwest. We will probably spend more time on the northwest terrace (which is why there is a sliding door leading outside there). If the main facade (living/dining area) were oriented northwest, I think the living room might become too dark (north-facing). But I’m open to being corrected if that is not the case.
Initially, there was an office planned on the ground floor. But that would have made the kitchen too small. We have now planned the office on the upper floor, which is fine for us. The bathroom is located on the north side but has a good size (should be sufficient). At first, we wanted a T-shaped layout (probably because it is often seen in model homes and we liked it there). However, I think an L-shaped layout might be better here. In front of the toilet, there is a planned privacy wall about 1 meter high (3 feet).
I have marked the floor plans with compass directions and measurements. The house measures about 10 x 10 meters (33 x 33 feet) externally (this does not have to remain that way). I also sent furnished versions of the floor plans. The plot is included as well, but without a building envelope shown (full width and about 20 meters (66 feet) deep from the street). The attached exterior views match the floor plan, except the street view on the ground floor has changed slightly (kitchen and pantry windows are different from the exterior view). Additionally, in the floor plan, the sliding door in the living room has been shifted slightly inward to avoid the couch blocking access to the terrace.
For the exterior views, the street is unfortunately shown on the wrong side (now southeast as per the floor plan). We had originally planned for a different plot, but there were some issues (slope, etc.). We were able to acquire this plot at short notice. The garage is also shown rotated and does not necessarily have to have a separation from the house.
I’m sure I have forgotten some things but I will try to answer your replies as quickly as possible. We are looking forward to your opinions/criticism.
Best regards from Bavaria
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: approx. 825 m² (approx. 8,880 sq ft)
Slope: none
Floor Area Ratio (FAR): 0.4
Building Coverage Ratio / building envelope / building line and boundary: Building envelope covers the full width of the plot, about 20 meters (66 feet) deep from the street
Edge development
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2 full floors
Roof style: gable roof, hip roof, shed roof
Architectural style: urban villa
Orientation: freely selectable
Maximum height restrictions: max. 8 meters (26 feet) height
Other requirements
Client Requirements
Style, roof shape, building type: urban villa, hipped or pyramid roof with 22-degree pitch
Basement, floors: slab-on-grade only, 2 full floors
Number of occupants, age: 2 persons (33, 30)
Space requirements ground floor, upper floor: approx. 80 m² (860 sq ft), total approx. 160 m² (1,720 sq ft)
Office: family use or home office? family use
Guest stays per year: approx. 10
Open or closed architecture: open
Conservative or modern style: modern
Open kitchen, cooking island: open kitchen with island
Number of dining seats: 4–6
Fireplace: yes, currently not shown on plan (not sure where exactly yet)
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: double garage, preferably right side of the house (flush) at the property line, exact location still uncertain
Kitchen garden, greenhouse: no
Other wishes / special features / daily routines, please also explain reasons why or why not:
Must have:
- large open living/dining/kitchen area
- bright living/dining area with 5 floor-to-ceiling windows here
- pantry
- large bathroom (hence swapping with office/guest room)
- fireplace
- walk-in closet
House Design
Who designed the plans:
- planner from a building company (originally with office on ground floor)
- do-it-yourself (current plan slightly adjusted since office on the ground floor was removed)
What do you especially like? Why?
- large open living/dining area
- pantry
What don’t you like? Why?
- is the entrance area big enough?
- is parking on the right side directly next to the house possible and convenient?
- entrance unfortunately on the right side of the house, not at the front; not a big problem
Price estimate according to architect/planner: approx. €290,000 (house and slab only)
Personal price limit, including fixtures and fittings: approx. €400,000
Preferred heating system: air-to-water heat pump, full underfloor heating
If you had to give up something, which details / features?
- could give up: straight staircase (could have a different shape)
- could not give up: large living/dining area, open kitchen, fireplace
Why is the design as it is now?
Initially planned with office on the ground floor. The technical room was in front of the kitchen (now pantry), which made the kitchen too small (noticed during measuring). The office has now been replaced with the technical room and moved upstairs (which is okay for us).
Standard design from the planner?
Which client requests have been implemented?
Almost all, but at that time still with office on ground floor
A mix of many examples from various magazines...
What makes it particularly good or bad in your eyes?
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
Is the layout okay? Is the hallway spacious and bright enough? Should rooms be arranged or divided differently? Is sun orientation okay?
kaho674 schrieb:
After seeing the hundredth floor plan with dimensions like 9x11 or similar, at least you know what you don’t want. For me, five square floor plans are enough to get the idea. Trying to fit a bunch of non-square rooms into a square frame usually causes issues in several places. Otherwise, I find the square shape quite appealing, but it does require consistency. A mixed arrangement of horizontally and vertically oriented windows doesn’t really suit a façade well. The frequently used “concept” of having only patio doors on the garden side doesn’t solve this “problem.”
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
@ypg
I’m aware of the mirroring on the upper floor. I’ll start working on that right away and at least mirror the floor plan. I’ll also take a look at the idea of making the walk-in closet accessible through the dressing room. What advantage do you expect from that? More space in the bedroom?
The bathroom is still lacking detail, yes that’s true. But I have to admit, we only briefly tried out the bathroom layout. We haven’t really thought it through yet. We’ll catch up on that and might post the floor plan in the bathrooms subforum later.
We can’t expect you all to do the work for us
@kaho674
I’ve already looked at what feels like a thousand floor plans on Google and Pinterest, etc. But to be honest, almost all of them look very similar. Maybe except for the staircase. Or many don’t fit our wishes at all.
What’s important to us: Ground Floor (GF)
- Open and bright living/dining area
- Fireplace (which isn’t drawn yet, but I want to leave that to the architect)
- Pantry
- If possible, a straight staircase (not a must)
What’s important to us: Upper Floor (UF)
- Walk-in closet
- A reasonably spacious bathroom (I know it can always be bigger)
- Level-access masonry shower, preferably not directly visible
- Toilet also not directly visible when you open the door
- Large bathtub (preferably with shelves around it)
- Hallway illuminated by windows
@11ant
What would you do consistently different with a 10x10 meter (33x33 feet) floor plan? Could you give some examples? Or maybe show a floor plan that’s not “standard”? I’m having trouble imagining it.
The floor-to-ceiling windows in the living/dining area are mainly intended to make the large room very bright. Unfortunately, for cost reasons, we have to do without bay windows, balconies, etc. These features unquestionably break up the otherwise “boxy” shape. I’ve always thought that way too. But paying an extra $10-15k for a balcony just isn’t possible. And we would hardly ever use the balcony anyway. That’s what the terrace is for.
But I’m always open to examples. I have to admit, though, that it’s hard for me to picture something without seeing it first. I need to see it to understand :-(
I’m aware of the mirroring on the upper floor. I’ll start working on that right away and at least mirror the floor plan. I’ll also take a look at the idea of making the walk-in closet accessible through the dressing room. What advantage do you expect from that? More space in the bedroom?
The bathroom is still lacking detail, yes that’s true. But I have to admit, we only briefly tried out the bathroom layout. We haven’t really thought it through yet. We’ll catch up on that and might post the floor plan in the bathrooms subforum later.
We can’t expect you all to do the work for us
@kaho674
I’ve already looked at what feels like a thousand floor plans on Google and Pinterest, etc. But to be honest, almost all of them look very similar. Maybe except for the staircase. Or many don’t fit our wishes at all.
What’s important to us: Ground Floor (GF)
- Open and bright living/dining area
- Fireplace (which isn’t drawn yet, but I want to leave that to the architect)
- Pantry
- If possible, a straight staircase (not a must)
What’s important to us: Upper Floor (UF)
- Walk-in closet
- A reasonably spacious bathroom (I know it can always be bigger)
- Level-access masonry shower, preferably not directly visible
- Toilet also not directly visible when you open the door
- Large bathtub (preferably with shelves around it)
- Hallway illuminated by windows
@11ant
What would you do consistently different with a 10x10 meter (33x33 feet) floor plan? Could you give some examples? Or maybe show a floor plan that’s not “standard”? I’m having trouble imagining it.
The floor-to-ceiling windows in the living/dining area are mainly intended to make the large room very bright. Unfortunately, for cost reasons, we have to do without bay windows, balconies, etc. These features unquestionably break up the otherwise “boxy” shape. I’ve always thought that way too. But paying an extra $10-15k for a balcony just isn’t possible. And we would hardly ever use the balcony anyway. That’s what the terrace is for.
But I’m always open to examples. I have to admit, though, that it’s hard for me to picture something without seeing it first. I need to see it to understand :-(
Zisu2000 schrieb:
What would you implement more consistently with a 10x10? By the consistency demanded by the square, when you build it for aesthetic purity, I mean continuing the basic shape. So also organizing the facade into a square grid, for example with windows or patio doors in square formats or whole-number ratios like n:1 in the aspect ratio.
Zisu2000 schrieb:
show a floor plan that is not "standard"? There are even more standard floor plans in rectangular forms that are not equilateral (because so many more functional layouts are possible — floor plans for an externally square frame usually have some corner area compromised).
Zisu2000 schrieb:
Unfortunately, we also have to forgo bay windows, balconies, and so on for cost reasons. Such features undoubtedly soften the actual "cube." Oh, if only the budget prevented those things more often. They don’t soften; they just make it banal “cookie-cutter turbo style.” Bay windows preferably in crimson red. "Bauhaus" with fishnet stockings—you can always top that :-(
Zisu2000 schrieb:
- if possible, straight staircase (not an absolute must) The combination of “square and straight staircase” perfectly confirms my harsh remark about there being only eight variants — at least if the staircase is also aligned parallel to the outer wall.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
11ant schrieb:
The combination of a "square and straight staircase" perfectly confirms my sarcastic comment about there being only eight variants – at least if the staircase is also aligned parallel to the exterior wall.Have you ever seen a straight staircase inside a square that is not aligned parallel? Show it!Zisu2000 schrieb:
@ypg
I will consider the idea of making the walk-in closet accessible through the dressing room. What advantage do you expect from that? More space in the bedroom?
What is important to us: upper floor
- Walk-in closet...
oh 🙁This is not just an idea but a logical implementation when designing a house with a walk-in closet. After all, it is not only meant for storing clothes (which a regular wardrobe can also do) but should provide a comfortable way to find or change clothing without disturbing someone who is already resting or still sleeping. However, since the exit in your layout goes around the shared bed, unfortunately, the sleeping person will be disturbed again—by light switching on/off and by the misuse of the bedroom as a passageway. The bed is the first thing you leave in the morning and the last place you go to at night. For this reason, the bed should be placed in a more enclosed area, not the walk-in closet, which is accessed more frequently during the day (putting away laundry, changing).
J
j.bautsch4 Apr 2018 08:19I completely agree with ypg. Sometimes I wish I could quickly slip into the bedroom to change my clothes without disturbing my husband, but as soon as I enter the bedroom, he wakes up (admittedly, he is a very light sleeper).
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