ᐅ Floor Plan of a Small Single-Family House on a North-Facing Slope, 170 m²
Created on: 7 Jan 2021 21:22
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Nitram94
Hello dear members of the forum,
I have been a silent reader for some time now, and since we are currently in the planning phase, I would like to share our current floor plan and hope to get some feedback!
The plot is huge, measuring 50 x 75m (164 x 246 ft). The street, which has moderate traffic, is located to the south. The land slopes downward away from the street toward the north, with about a 3m (10 ft) drop over 15m (49 ft), then it flattens out again. There are already houses on both the left and right sides of the property. Behind the plot are agricultural fields.
The current plan includes a total living area of approximately 170m² (1,830 sq ft). Since the street is to the south, we want a small garden on that side and a larger one to the north because that is where the green fields are located.
The idea behind the floor plan was to allow access from the living area to both gardens, so everything basically becomes one unit. It was important for us to have an open living and dining area and for the parents’ zone to be on the same floor. That way, the children (1-2 planned) have their own area in the basement—not ideal initially, but most likely everyone will be happy with it later 😉.
We also really wanted direct access from the bedroom to the bathroom.
I am still not completely satisfied with the window arrangement (regarding the exterior appearance), but I am not sure what could be changed.
For storage space, an attic is planned.
The bathroom in the basement will have a “basement window” and a bathtub.
The entrance on the floor plan is on the south side.
Load-bearing walls in the basement have not yet been drawn.
The plan is to keep the build ready for finishing costs under 400k—doable?
I am looking forward to your opinions and hope for some helpful tips!
I have been a silent reader for some time now, and since we are currently in the planning phase, I would like to share our current floor plan and hope to get some feedback!
The plot is huge, measuring 50 x 75m (164 x 246 ft). The street, which has moderate traffic, is located to the south. The land slopes downward away from the street toward the north, with about a 3m (10 ft) drop over 15m (49 ft), then it flattens out again. There are already houses on both the left and right sides of the property. Behind the plot are agricultural fields.
The current plan includes a total living area of approximately 170m² (1,830 sq ft). Since the street is to the south, we want a small garden on that side and a larger one to the north because that is where the green fields are located.
The idea behind the floor plan was to allow access from the living area to both gardens, so everything basically becomes one unit. It was important for us to have an open living and dining area and for the parents’ zone to be on the same floor. That way, the children (1-2 planned) have their own area in the basement—not ideal initially, but most likely everyone will be happy with it later 😉.
We also really wanted direct access from the bedroom to the bathroom.
I am still not completely satisfied with the window arrangement (regarding the exterior appearance), but I am not sure what could be changed.
For storage space, an attic is planned.
The bathroom in the basement will have a “basement window” and a bathtub.
The entrance on the floor plan is on the south side.
Load-bearing walls in the basement have not yet been drawn.
The plan is to keep the build ready for finishing costs under 400k—doable?
I am looking forward to your opinions and hope for some helpful tips!
First of all, thank you ypg for your effort and your great suggestions! I’m really impressed.
Yes, you’re right that it’s basically placed in front of the slope and then the rest needs to be filled up. I still have to figure out the costs myself...
Yes, the anteroom in the basement is basically hallway space, and that’s where the greatest need for optimization lies (I’ve heard this from several sides already).
The gym room would be for me since I’m very sporty and would like to have that “luxury” – if possible, but of course not a must...
Yes, you’re right, and so far I’ve only considered from above...
Moving the staircase more towards the center is a good idea to make everything feel more homely.
You addressed that well in your suggestions, and I will probably adopt that idea!
So, if I understand correctly, you would rather shift the house towards the south and focus entirely on the back garden?
In that case, would west-facing windows also be sufficient, in your opinion?
Definitely that, and that will be included in the next plan!
Yes, that can be tried! I wanted the couch definitely facing north since that’s where the view is, and we tend to spend more time on the couch than at the dining table.
Yes, you’re right that it’s basically placed in front of the slope and then the rest needs to be filled up. I still have to figure out the costs myself...
ypg schrieb:
Let’s assume we have an anteroom of over 20 sqm (over 215 sq ft) in the basement—what is that useful for? Basically, it’s for openness and access to the garden. But in my opinion, you can’t really afford that. What kind of gym room is that?
Yes, the anteroom in the basement is basically hallway space, and that’s where the greatest need for optimization lies (I’ve heard this from several sides already).
The gym room would be for me since I’m very sporty and would like to have that “luxury” – if possible, but of course not a must...
ypg schrieb:
This door (in the basement) will probably be used very frequently, considering it’s the most convenient way to the garden.
Yes, you’re right, and so far I’ve only considered from above...
Moving the staircase more towards the center is a good idea to make everything feel more homely.
ypg schrieb:
As for the rest of the floor plan: the door situation in the parents’ area, in my opinion, just doesn’t work. The two bathroom doors will cause problems because they block each other.
You addressed that well in your suggestions, and I will probably adopt that idea!
ypg schrieb:
South-facing windows are important, but you rarely get to fully enjoy a south-facing terrace. Also, since there’s a street here, you won’t exactly find the peace there you’d get in the back garden, which is also sunny.
Therefore, as an amateur, I’d give up on a south terrace and rather place it with the slope/banking to the west, then have direct garden access.
So, if I understand correctly, you would rather shift the house towards the south and focus entirely on the back garden?
In that case, would west-facing windows also be sufficient, in your opinion?
ypg schrieb:
It’s planned with the master bathroom connected by glass doors, which can be frosted if you don’t want full transparency. This creates a private retreat on a small footprint. Maybe that’s an idea for your next drafts...
Definitely that, and that will be included in the next plan!
ypg schrieb:
Yeah, while experimenting with the model, I realized both floors would benefit if the staircase (preferably a two-flight, more open one, not one with a basement character) were planned elsewhere. And the kitchen or dining table put where you naturally walk towards.
Yes, that can be tried! I wanted the couch definitely facing north since that’s where the view is, and we tend to spend more time on the couch than at the dining table.
Nitram94 schrieb:
So, if I understand correctly, you would move the house more towards the south and focus entirely on the backyard? I don’t know what you mean.
You can’t really talk about moving it, since no one here knows what kind of slope we’re dealing with. In your 3D model, it looks steeper than a levee, and your sketch doesn’t provide any measurements or distances related to the slope.
Only if you place the house in front of the slope will you need even more soil, and you actually already have too much of that.
That’s what I meant by “bring in an architect.”
As for the garden: life during summer or in good weather really happens in the garden. Not necessarily sitting in a neat chill-out area, but watering, weeding, landscaping, planting, and enjoying outdoor spaces. With kids at the paddling pool, on the swing, in the sandbox, or on the lawn. In the evening, you go to the terrace to have dinner. Once the children are in bed, you relax on the outdoor or indoor sofa. When my husband and I watch TV, we go outside during every commercial break because there’s always something to do. Okay, there’s automated irrigation for that… but what I want to say is: you truly enjoy and live the garden if you want it.
Nitram94 schrieb:
Would west-facing windows be enough in this case, in your opinion? For me personally, no. I need sunlight in the house during winter, and west-facing windows don’t provide that. But everyone has their own preferences. If you’re aiming at the basement or ground floor: like @haydee, I would see my living space downstairs with many large north-facing windows. However, upstairs, I would create a relaxation area with southern sunlight for winter. The last six weeks of last year had only four sunny days. I would spend those on a sunny gallery with books, knitting, or something else 🙂
Nitram94 schrieb:
I definitely want the sofa facing north because that’s where the view is, and we spend more time on the sofa than at the dining table. Even with children? Hmm… The real question is whether you’re prepared for having kids. We also spend a lot of time on the sofa and don’t have any children. But activities typically happen elsewhere, not on the sofa. Do you live in an apartment now? Life will definitely be different in a house.
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