ᐅ Floor plan of a family home in an edge location with unobstructed views
Created on: 2 Jun 2021 11:00
K
Kati2022
We are (almost) ready. The desired building plot is reserved, and the house planning can begin.
We will be building with a (related) architect and will tender all trades ourselves. We are aware that this approach involves significant time and financial risks, but we want to take the chance.
It is meant to be our dream house, and we want to be able to decide ourselves how it will look.
Our architect suggested that we first draw our own ideas of how we imagine the house and what is important to us. Afterwards, we will sit down together and analyze the plan step by step.
After days of drawing, I have “designed” a floor plan that our whole family is quite satisfied with.
Here are some details:
Zoning Plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 519m2 (5,585 sq ft)
Slope: no
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: not specified
Building window, building line, and boundary – marked with red lines on the picture
Border development
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 1.5
Roof type: gable roof, hip roof, half-hip roof
Architectural style
Orientation
Maximum heights/limits
Additional requirements
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: modern barn style, gable roof without overhang
Basement, floors: no basement, 1.5 floors
Number of occupants, ages: 2+2 (6, 9 years old)
Room needs on ground floor and upper floor:
Office: family use or home office? Office with sofa bed
Guest stays per year: approx. 10 days
Open or closed architecture: open
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6-10 (when guests are present)
Fireplace: not essential
Music/sound system wall
Balcony, roof terrace: not necessary, possibly in the bedroom
Garage, carport: garage
Utility garden, greenhouse
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be included
House Design
Planner:
- Planner from a construction company
- Architect
- Do-it-yourself: yes
What do you especially like? Why? Office and WC with the possibility to convert them into a separate living unit (for old age), kitchen island in the middle of the room, back kitchen so appliances don’t have to be on the island, large windows on the undeveloped side, stairs in the living room instead of in a hallway, large master area on the upper floor.
What do you dislike? Why? No double garage due to space constraints. We don’t want to shift the house too far south.
Cost estimate by architect/planner: ???
Personal price limit for the house including fixtures: 600,000
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump (deep drilling is not allowed due to water protection zone)
If you have to give up certain details/features:
- Can give up: slightly smaller office. However, I like the option of converting the office and WC into a second living unit (for grown children, caregiver, bedroom in old age).
- Cannot give up: open kitchen, back kitchen, large windows to the southwest
Why does the design look the way it does?
I created the design completely independently. A modern, open style is important to us. Since there is an unobstructed view to the west of fields and vineyards, we want to make use of this with large windows.
A separate master area would be very welcome. A luxury bathroom as in this plan would, of course, be a highlight.
An attic is planned for additional storage space.
I am quite concerned about the single garage. We need two cars, and the second would always have to be parked outside. Unfortunately, I don’t see a possibility to position the garage differently. If I reserve the minimum 6m (20 feet) on the northern boundary for a double garage, the house would have to move further south. I do not want that.
I look forward to your suggestions.
We will be building with a (related) architect and will tender all trades ourselves. We are aware that this approach involves significant time and financial risks, but we want to take the chance.
It is meant to be our dream house, and we want to be able to decide ourselves how it will look.
Our architect suggested that we first draw our own ideas of how we imagine the house and what is important to us. Afterwards, we will sit down together and analyze the plan step by step.
After days of drawing, I have “designed” a floor plan that our whole family is quite satisfied with.
Here are some details:
Zoning Plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 519m2 (5,585 sq ft)
Slope: no
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: not specified
Building window, building line, and boundary – marked with red lines on the picture
Border development
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 1.5
Roof type: gable roof, hip roof, half-hip roof
Architectural style
Orientation
Maximum heights/limits
Additional requirements
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: modern barn style, gable roof without overhang
Basement, floors: no basement, 1.5 floors
Number of occupants, ages: 2+2 (6, 9 years old)
Room needs on ground floor and upper floor:
Office: family use or home office? Office with sofa bed
Guest stays per year: approx. 10 days
Open or closed architecture: open
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6-10 (when guests are present)
Fireplace: not essential
Music/sound system wall
Balcony, roof terrace: not necessary, possibly in the bedroom
Garage, carport: garage
Utility garden, greenhouse
Other wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be included
House Design
Planner:
- Planner from a construction company
- Architect
- Do-it-yourself: yes
What do you especially like? Why? Office and WC with the possibility to convert them into a separate living unit (for old age), kitchen island in the middle of the room, back kitchen so appliances don’t have to be on the island, large windows on the undeveloped side, stairs in the living room instead of in a hallway, large master area on the upper floor.
What do you dislike? Why? No double garage due to space constraints. We don’t want to shift the house too far south.
Cost estimate by architect/planner: ???
Personal price limit for the house including fixtures: 600,000
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump (deep drilling is not allowed due to water protection zone)
If you have to give up certain details/features:
- Can give up: slightly smaller office. However, I like the option of converting the office and WC into a second living unit (for grown children, caregiver, bedroom in old age).
- Cannot give up: open kitchen, back kitchen, large windows to the southwest
Why does the design look the way it does?
I created the design completely independently. A modern, open style is important to us. Since there is an unobstructed view to the west of fields and vineyards, we want to make use of this with large windows.
A separate master area would be very welcome. A luxury bathroom as in this plan would, of course, be a highlight.
An attic is planned for additional storage space.
I am quite concerned about the single garage. We need two cars, and the second would always have to be parked outside. Unfortunately, I don’t see a possibility to position the garage differently. If I reserve the minimum 6m (20 feet) on the northern boundary for a double garage, the house would have to move further south. I do not want that.
I look forward to your suggestions.
Kati.com schrieb:
I also like the glazed connection between the garage and the house. I would definitely create direct access to the terrace here so that visitors have a short route to the garden and don’t have to walk through the entire house every time. In principle, the idea isn’t bad and does have advantages. However, you’d create a major drawback by wasting a lot of space on the hallway, which makes an extra turn to eventually reach the stairs and your living area. This results in cramped walls. Also, how should we understand the priority: 1. Guests, 2. Family?
And how do you imagine it: guests go straight to the terrace and are locked out... and you? You then walk along the hallway, circle around your kitchen area, just to get from the kitchen to your guest. I would find that somewhat odd as a guest and inconvenient as an occupant.
Kati.com schrieb:
What ideas do you have for the floor plan? My head is spinning from playing Tetris 🤨. I’ll see if I can come up with something that includes both 🙂
ypg schrieb:
And how should we understand the priorities 1. Guests 2. Family?By "guests," I mainly mean children (and later teenagers) who want to play in the garden with my daughters (in about 6 years—hanging out) 😎. Also, I find a direct connection between the house and the garage very practical.Kati.com schrieb:
I also find a direct connection between the house and the garage very practical. Even if you can afford the space (because you will be doing laundry upstairs), … if you consider that a premise, just like having a staircase at the other end of the house, then you will probably have to live with a huge hallway.
Kati.com schrieb:
meaning you want to play in the garden with my girls (in 6 years – relaxing) 😎 There are also ways to go around the house when it’s terrace time – without ringing the bell. But I don’t think 15-year-olds or older teenagers will politely ring the bell and hang out on the parents’ terrace while mom watches the group obediently from the kitchen. Why should it be any different in a few years: the kid goes outside to avoid confronting the friends with the embarrassing parents 😎
What I want to say is: wishful thinking in theory does not match reality.
And since I don’t understand how wishful thinking is prioritized higher and one bends to the labyrinth instead of choosing what they really want, then you will probably have to build like that.
Kati.com schrieb:
open or closed architecture open Kati.com schrieb:
A modern, open design is important to us But remember that the garage must be at least 0.5 meters (20 inches) away from the southern property boundary – that’s at least how I understand your exception to the zoning ordinance.
I will try again despite this.
ypg schrieb:
But remember, the garage must be at least 0.5 meters (20 inches) away from the southern property boundary – that’s how I understand your exception to the local building regulations.
I’ll keep trying anyway. “From paved traffic areas... 0.5m (20 inches).” That means sidewalks, narrow passages (there are two in the area). According to the building authority officer, I am allowed to build the garage directly on the neighbor’s boundary.
By open and modern design, I mean lots of glass facing the garden, an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area...
I’m curious to see your floor plan idea...
If it helps: ideally, the house should appear as a compact, unified volume – without dormers or roof overhangs. My dream would be to cover it completely (roof and facade) with Prefa diamond-shaped tiles or shingles. The garage could be entirely wood-clad. Whether that’s financially feasible still needs to be checked 😉 .
@ypg Thanks for the time you’re taking 🙂
Kati.com schrieb:
"From paved traffic areas....0.5m (1.6 feet)." That means sidewalks, narrow passages (there are two of those in the area). According to the building authority official, I am already allowed to build the garage directly on the property line.
By open and modern design, I mean lots of glass facing the garden, an open living, dining, and kitchen area...
I’m looking forward to your floor plan idea...
If it helps, ideally the house should look like a compact, unified volume – without dormers, without roof overhangs. My dream is to completely clad it (roof and facade) with Prefa rhombus tiles or shingles. The garage preferably entirely in wood. Whether that is financially feasible still needs to be checked 😉
@ypg Thanks for taking the time 🙂 Gladly. But with your idea, a zigzag shape will emerge. That just doesn’t fit at all. To me, the concept is not suitable and it’s the wrong approach.
I know... tomorrow someone will probably post here praising you for sticking precisely to your plan and not being distracted from your dream...
And yet, zigzag is not what you want and it’s the wrong approach to stick stubbornly to it. So if I manage to do something, you might be a bit disappointed 😕
Similar topics