ᐅ Floor plan of a single-family house for 4 people with issues on the ground floor
Created on: 30 Nov 2022 16:15
M
metin88
Hello,
we recently submitted a preliminary building inquiry with this floor plan. However, we are still not satisfied with the layout of the ground floor. Is the design still salvageable, or have we gone down the wrong path?
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 2000 m² (0.5 acres)
Slope: none
No development plan; all roof types are present in the neighborhood
Owners' Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: country house style (mullioned windows), hipped roof, town villa
Basement, floors: no basement (due to cost), 2 full floors
Number of people, age: 2 people (25 and 33 years), 2 children planned
Space requirements on ground floor and upper floor: approx. 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) each
Office: home office
Overnight guests per year: very few
Open or closed architecture: open on the ground floor
Traditional or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: no
Music/stereo setup: 2 floor-standing speakers at the TV
Balcony, roof terrace: 1 balcony in the parents’ area
Garage, carport: double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Other wishes: laundry room on the upper floor
House Design
Designer: architect
What do you like most? Why?: We really like the upper floor due to its layout
What do you dislike? Why?: The living and dining areas cause problems. Although there is plenty of space, both the architect and we fear that the many corners prevent efficient use of the space. We would prefer the dining area to be smaller and the living area larger. The staircase also worries me. According to the architect, the ceiling height on the ground floor cannot exceed 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) because otherwise the staircase would be too long. Since it is a large house, he recommends keeping a rise-to-run ratio of 18/27 cm (7/10.5 inches). A steeper staircase should only be used if there is no other option. The architect also pointed out that the staircase leads to a wall on the upper floor, where there should ideally be more space.
Estimated cost according to architect/designer: over 750,000 €
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings: 1,000,000 €
Preferred heating system: heat pump with photovoltaic system
If you have to give up something, which details/extensions?
- Can give up: replace garage with carport, omit bay window at rear, terrace does not have to extend into the building volume, different staircase design
- Cannot give up: bay window at the front, home office
Why did the design end up like this?: I created a floor plan myself based on others from the internet. The architect then tried to create a feasible floor plan while staying as close as possible to my design.
What do you consider particularly good or bad about it?: We like the relatively efficient corridors on the ground and upper floors to give the other rooms more space. The exterior shape appeals to us a lot. The orientation of the rooms is also good, especially the kitchen and home office facing the street side. We have no complaints about the upper floor except for the narrow area in front of the stairs. We like the 45° wall in the dining area because it makes the space feel more open. What we like less is the division between the living and dining areas, the “too long” staircase, and the ground floor ceiling height of “only” 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in).
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
Can the ground floor layout be improved so the living area is bigger, the dining area smaller, and ceiling height 2.62 m (8 ft 7 in) achieved?
Thanks a lot!
metin88
we recently submitted a preliminary building inquiry with this floor plan. However, we are still not satisfied with the layout of the ground floor. Is the design still salvageable, or have we gone down the wrong path?
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 2000 m² (0.5 acres)
Slope: none
No development plan; all roof types are present in the neighborhood
Owners' Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: country house style (mullioned windows), hipped roof, town villa
Basement, floors: no basement (due to cost), 2 full floors
Number of people, age: 2 people (25 and 33 years), 2 children planned
Space requirements on ground floor and upper floor: approx. 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) each
Office: home office
Overnight guests per year: very few
Open or closed architecture: open on the ground floor
Traditional or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: no
Music/stereo setup: 2 floor-standing speakers at the TV
Balcony, roof terrace: 1 balcony in the parents’ area
Garage, carport: double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Other wishes: laundry room on the upper floor
House Design
Designer: architect
What do you like most? Why?: We really like the upper floor due to its layout
What do you dislike? Why?: The living and dining areas cause problems. Although there is plenty of space, both the architect and we fear that the many corners prevent efficient use of the space. We would prefer the dining area to be smaller and the living area larger. The staircase also worries me. According to the architect, the ceiling height on the ground floor cannot exceed 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) because otherwise the staircase would be too long. Since it is a large house, he recommends keeping a rise-to-run ratio of 18/27 cm (7/10.5 inches). A steeper staircase should only be used if there is no other option. The architect also pointed out that the staircase leads to a wall on the upper floor, where there should ideally be more space.
Estimated cost according to architect/designer: over 750,000 €
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings: 1,000,000 €
Preferred heating system: heat pump with photovoltaic system
If you have to give up something, which details/extensions?
- Can give up: replace garage with carport, omit bay window at rear, terrace does not have to extend into the building volume, different staircase design
- Cannot give up: bay window at the front, home office
Why did the design end up like this?: I created a floor plan myself based on others from the internet. The architect then tried to create a feasible floor plan while staying as close as possible to my design.
What do you consider particularly good or bad about it?: We like the relatively efficient corridors on the ground and upper floors to give the other rooms more space. The exterior shape appeals to us a lot. The orientation of the rooms is also good, especially the kitchen and home office facing the street side. We have no complaints about the upper floor except for the narrow area in front of the stairs. We like the 45° wall in the dining area because it makes the space feel more open. What we like less is the division between the living and dining areas, the “too long” staircase, and the ground floor ceiling height of “only” 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in).
What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?
Can the ground floor layout be improved so the living area is bigger, the dining area smaller, and ceiling height 2.62 m (8 ft 7 in) achieved?
Thanks a lot!
metin88
@ypg Unfortunately, not yet. We are still waiting for feedback regarding the preliminary building permit / planning permission inquiry. As soon as there is a new draft, I will upload it here.
I have also considered whether it would be easier to move the main entrance to the north. This would not only shorten the path from the garage to the front door but, in my opinion, it would also make it easier to orient the bathroom, utility room, and possibly the storage room to the north. We originally wanted the entrance centered on the east side for aesthetic reasons, without thinking about the impact on the floor plan. But I think it’s also possible to create a nice bay window with a floor-to-ceiling window instead of the front door on the east side. That area could then be part of the office. Additionally, having the front door on the north side would provide more flexibility since it wouldn’t have to be centered. On the other hand, we would like the east side to be symmetrical.
I haven’t discussed this with the architect yet. What do you think? Front entrance on the east or north side?
I have also considered whether it would be easier to move the main entrance to the north. This would not only shorten the path from the garage to the front door but, in my opinion, it would also make it easier to orient the bathroom, utility room, and possibly the storage room to the north. We originally wanted the entrance centered on the east side for aesthetic reasons, without thinking about the impact on the floor plan. But I think it’s also possible to create a nice bay window with a floor-to-ceiling window instead of the front door on the east side. That area could then be part of the office. Additionally, having the front door on the north side would provide more flexibility since it wouldn’t have to be centered. On the other hand, we would like the east side to be symmetrical.
I haven’t discussed this with the architect yet. What do you think? Front entrance on the east or north side?
metin88 schrieb:
Main entrance facing east or north?I would keep it facing east. I can’t imagine you’ll be happy with a north-facing entrance combined with a bay window facing the street. As for a covered terrace in the area where you want to capture sunlight inside the house, an attached utility room, a short path from the garage to the entrance, and other points mentioned—let the planners handle that properly.
Thank you again for your feedback. The architect has revised the plans. This is the new design. We had previously communicated the following requests to the architect:
The wall between the gallery and hallway will be replaced by a simple stair railing in the next draft.
I personally like the design quite a lot. However, I am still uncertain about the following points:
- Kitchen facing the street
- Symmetrical windows on the street side
- Access to the home office through the hallway instead of the living area
- Storage room serving as a passage from the garage into the house
- Two children's bedrooms facing south or west
- Covered terrace with a small outdoor kitchen
The wall between the gallery and hallway will be replaced by a simple stair railing in the next draft.
I personally like the design quite a lot. However, I am still uncertain about the following points:
- The architect still believes the utility room should be located outside the thermal envelope. He considers it unnecessary cost and mentioned he discussed this again with an energy consultant.
- The architect recommends including an entrance vestibule. However, I think modern houses don’t really need a vestibule.
- Upstairs, I am unsure whether the children's bathroom and laundry room provide enough space. Maybe a single larger bathroom instead of separate parents’ and children’s bathrooms?
- On the ground floor, this design has a ceiling height of 256 cm (100.8 inches). For aesthetic reasons, I would prefer a bit more—around 270 cm (106.3 inches). The architect says 256 cm (100.8 inches) is sufficient, otherwise the staircase would become somewhat steeper. Perhaps only a 3D visualization can help decide this?
- The garage might be made slightly larger to allow space for a small workbench.
metin88 schrieb:
The architect recommends including a windbreak area.Strange. You're right.metin88 schrieb:
The architect also believes that the technical room should not be inside the thermal envelope.Hmm… okay… how old is the architect?metin88 schrieb:
The architect says 256 cm (8 ft 5 in) is sufficient, otherwise the staircase would become somewhat steeper.Or you would need to extend it by 1 or 2 steps.The master suite on the upper floor is completely poorly planned. The bedroom acts as a passageway between the dressing room and the bathroom: it can hardly be more disruptive for someone sleeping.
First of all, if I were you, I would draw your intended furniture to scale so that any tight spots in the open-plan area become clear. I feel the grid for a quick overview is missing.
Also, I don’t find the narrow areas in the northeast very appealing. To change those and keep the symmetry, I would split the windows on the east side and then swap the WC and the wardrobe. The WC can handle the narrow space, but the wardrobe, where you need room to move by the cabinets, is unsuitable.
Your planned outdoor kitchen has no connection at all to the kitchen inside. That’s completely counterproductive. It’s even the furthest room away—you’d have to carry ingredients across the open area and past the lounge zone. Are you sure you want it like that?
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