Hello dear readers,
I kindly ask for both constructive positive and negative feedback on our preliminary floor plan.
First, the key data:
This is an old farmstead; we will convert the barn and the milk kitchen into living space and partially extend/add additional floors. Since we have a second barn of about 160sqm (1,722 sq ft) next to it, storage space as well as guest and work areas are planned there, but the implementation will be slightly phased. (The approval process is already clarified, to preempt this possible question.)
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 8000sqm (86,111 sq ft)
Slope: none
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2.5
Roof type: gable roof
Style: modern, but inspired by the old barn character in terms of windows and roof shape; the barn character should remain recognizable.
Orientation: northwest
Additional requirements: exterior area, no changes to the external dimensions allowed.
Client Requirements
Style: Modern barn
No basement, 2.5 floors
Number of occupants: 5 persons
Ages: 2, 2, 6, 37, 38
Room requirements on the ground floor: living area and kitchen/dining area, guest restroom, sufficiently large entrance hall, large utility room with airlock door, pantry adjacent to the kitchen.
Upper floor: 3 children’s rooms (each with a loft), children’s bathroom, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, storage room.
Office: uncertain if needed inside the house, since the children currently share a room, and in about 2-3 years we plan to convert an adjacent barn into a work and guest area.
Guests per year: several
Open or closed architecture: rather open.
Modern construction style
Open kitchen with island
Minimum seating for 6 at the dining table
Fireplace: yes
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony: yes
Double carport
Wishes/ideas:
A large utility room (!!) is important since we have three children and no basement. A pantry adjacent to the kitchen is also important because we do not want upper cabinets.
Because the children’s rooms have a small floor area, an additional play area and lofts in the rooms are planned, which we really like.
Concerns regarding the current floor plan: the living/dining area might be too small, and the staircase situation bothers us (it is very noisy). Therefore, we are considering removing the office and the dressing room and relocating the stairway and restroom to the right. This would create more space in the living/dining area and for the pantry, and allow for a storage room on the upper floor.
The building is very long and narrow, so the floor plan is quite challenging. However, since we are renovating an old farmstead in an outlying area, we must strictly adhere to the current shape and cannot exceed the dimensions shown in the floor plan.
The central children’s room keeps the walkway currently leading to the hayloft so that a second entrance might be installed there someday. For now, no balcony door or similar will be installed, as the children are too young.
Most important questions:
Functionality (very little storage space, which might be improved by removing the dressing room), and the living area should feel more spacious and airy.
The design was created by an architect with many ideas contributed by us.
We look forward to your well-intentioned criticism, praise, and advice.
I kindly ask for both constructive positive and negative feedback on our preliminary floor plan.
First, the key data:
This is an old farmstead; we will convert the barn and the milk kitchen into living space and partially extend/add additional floors. Since we have a second barn of about 160sqm (1,722 sq ft) next to it, storage space as well as guest and work areas are planned there, but the implementation will be slightly phased. (The approval process is already clarified, to preempt this possible question.)
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 8000sqm (86,111 sq ft)
Slope: none
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2.5
Roof type: gable roof
Style: modern, but inspired by the old barn character in terms of windows and roof shape; the barn character should remain recognizable.
Orientation: northwest
Additional requirements: exterior area, no changes to the external dimensions allowed.
Client Requirements
Style: Modern barn
No basement, 2.5 floors
Number of occupants: 5 persons
Ages: 2, 2, 6, 37, 38
Room requirements on the ground floor: living area and kitchen/dining area, guest restroom, sufficiently large entrance hall, large utility room with airlock door, pantry adjacent to the kitchen.
Upper floor: 3 children’s rooms (each with a loft), children’s bathroom, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, storage room.
Office: uncertain if needed inside the house, since the children currently share a room, and in about 2-3 years we plan to convert an adjacent barn into a work and guest area.
Guests per year: several
Open or closed architecture: rather open.
Modern construction style
Open kitchen with island
Minimum seating for 6 at the dining table
Fireplace: yes
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony: yes
Double carport
Wishes/ideas:
A large utility room (!!) is important since we have three children and no basement. A pantry adjacent to the kitchen is also important because we do not want upper cabinets.
Because the children’s rooms have a small floor area, an additional play area and lofts in the rooms are planned, which we really like.
Concerns regarding the current floor plan: the living/dining area might be too small, and the staircase situation bothers us (it is very noisy). Therefore, we are considering removing the office and the dressing room and relocating the stairway and restroom to the right. This would create more space in the living/dining area and for the pantry, and allow for a storage room on the upper floor.
The building is very long and narrow, so the floor plan is quite challenging. However, since we are renovating an old farmstead in an outlying area, we must strictly adhere to the current shape and cannot exceed the dimensions shown in the floor plan.
The central children’s room keeps the walkway currently leading to the hayloft so that a second entrance might be installed there someday. For now, no balcony door or similar will be installed, as the children are too young.
Most important questions:
Functionality (very little storage space, which might be improved by removing the dressing room), and the living area should feel more spacious and airy.
The design was created by an architect with many ideas contributed by us.
We look forward to your well-intentioned criticism, praise, and advice.
And regarding your point that the kitchen is connected to the terrace: we have already considered this and do not find the distance problematic. What I find worse is having a longer route to the dining table or having the kitchen right at the living room entrance next to the sofa. Since we will have an outdoor kitchen, this arrangement is intentional.
haydee schrieb:
Has it been confirmed that the distance between the building services and the house can be that simple?
Yes, that should be possible.A site plan would be helpful, and a north arrow would be good as well.
I also find the kitchen too cramped. Even if it’s an outdoor kitchen—or maybe especially then—I think the connection between the kitchen and the terrace is good.
I don’t like the staircase at all; it seems rather narrow and probably very steep. What ceiling height (and floor-to-floor height) is planned?
The master bathroom won’t work like this either, right? Everything is way too tight.
Unfortunately, the dimensions on the right and left sides are missing, but the interior depth is a maximum of 6m (20 feet), correct?
Are all the children’s rooms supposed to have a second level from the start? Is that why the staircase is there? What height will this second level have?
I also find the kitchen too cramped. Even if it’s an outdoor kitchen—or maybe especially then—I think the connection between the kitchen and the terrace is good.
I don’t like the staircase at all; it seems rather narrow and probably very steep. What ceiling height (and floor-to-floor height) is planned?
The master bathroom won’t work like this either, right? Everything is way too tight.
Unfortunately, the dimensions on the right and left sides are missing, but the interior depth is a maximum of 6m (20 feet), correct?
Are all the children’s rooms supposed to have a second level from the start? Is that why the staircase is there? What height will this second level have?
I would be interested in a photo of the exterior—especially regarding the windows. Yellow indicates new windows, and red means an existing window will be closed off, right? So the windows should stay as they are if possible? I also think the living-dining-kitchen area is too small for five people and would remove the office as suggested, moving the stairs and bathroom to the right. I would probably skip additional storage space upstairs and keep the walk-in closet if the barn is just a few meters away. However, the parents’ area upstairs could definitely be improved. The bed is awkwardly placed next to the door, and the path to the bathroom is very narrow.
I don’t really like the staircase; it seems rather narrow and probably very steep. What is the planned clear ceiling height (and story height)?
kbt09 schrieb:
A site plan would be good, a north arrow would also help.
I don’t have the heights yet, I’ll ask about them.
I also find the kitchen too small. Even if it’s an outdoor kitchen, or maybe especially then, I like the connection between the kitchen and the terrace.
We can only make the kitchen longer since we have to stick to the room dimensions. But I’m not satisfied with the current layout either. On the terrace side, we find it somehow a bit uncomfortable in theory, but maybe you just have to see it in person. However, that wouldn’t create more space, or do you have any ideas?
I don’t really like the staircase; it seems rather narrow and probably very steep. What is the planned clear ceiling height (and story height)?
I’m still not happy with the staircase either. The architect says there’s no other option, but we are currently looking for an alternative.
The master bathroom won’t stay like this, right? Everything is way too cramped.
We currently live in a single-family house where the bathroom has almost exactly these dimensions for all five of us, which works for us. Only the layout of the bathroom furniture needs and should change to use the space more efficiently.
Unfortunately, the measurements on the right and left are missing, but the interior depth is a maximum of 6m (20 feet), right?
It’s almost exactly 6m (20 feet) interior depth.
Will all children’s rooms have a second level from the start? Is that the reason for the staircase? What height will that second level have?
Lofts will be installed immediately. The middle gable height is about 2.30m (7 feet 7 inches). It will be more of a sleeping/chill loft than a fully usable living area. That’s why we are also planning a playroom to give the children more space.
Thank you for your feedback!
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