ᐅ Single-family home floor plan, approximately 145 sqm, west-facing driveway

Dear community,

We own a plot of land and want to have a single-family house built on it. We have an architect who has created the design for us. We are generally satisfied with it so far, but we think it could be improved. Maybe some of you have helpful ideas or see alternative design options. We are open to all suggestions and look forward to your comments.

Our details:

Development Plan / Restrictions

Requirements:

The plot size is 427 sqm (4595 sq ft)

Gable roof or flat roof. Flat roof only with green roofing.

At least 2 full floors, roof tile color, building envelope, number of parking spaces, etc. are prescribed.

Client Requirements:

• 3 full floors (basement, ground floor, upper floor)
• Gable roof, open roof structure
• Energy-efficient house standard 40 Plus
• Fireplace on the ground floor
• Maximum living area 145 sqm (1560 sq ft)
• Open floor plan on the ground floor combining living room and kitchen
• Double garage
• Finished basement: hobby room, possibly with home cinema
• Laundry room in the technical room
• Two children's rooms on the upper floor
• Shower toilet on the ground floor
• Bathroom on the upper floor (with bathtub, shower, toilet)
• Heating system: heat pump, underfloor heating

House Design:

The design was created by an architect.

We are unsure if the bay window on the ground floor is practical and will actually be used.

The plan includes two children’s rooms, but we are considering adding a home office to the layout.

The bathroom on the upper floor could be larger, though we are satisfied with the current size. It should definitely not be smaller. Additionally, we would like an extra source of natural light in the bathroom, preferably a door, so that we have access to the garage roof.

Murmele305 schrieb:

Only we think it could be even better.

The house design is very clear and, apart from the space between the dining and living areas in the proposed layout, quite efficient in terms of space. Bir likes it quite a lot. What exactly do you think could be "better"?

Murmele305 schrieb:

Maybe someone has helpful ideas or sees alternative design options.

The design does not contain anything that could be called a "mistake." Therefore, it depends on how well the architecture matches your lifestyle priorities.
Depending on where the bias lies, the overhang from the garage to the front door might be too narrow to provide rain protection. As a design element, it works quite well as drawn.

Murmele305 schrieb:

We are unsure whether the window seat on the ground floor is useful and will actually be used.

With the furniture arrangement shown, the window seat is a nice and space-saving opportunity for many people to sit there. However, I rarely find sofa setups with the backrest facing the window to be ideal – but that is a matter of personal taste.

Murmele305 schrieb:

The plan includes two children's rooms; the idea would be to add a home office to the floor plan.

Adding a home office will make the upper floor too cramped. If a home office is a requirement in your brief, then this entire design is not suitable.

Murmele305 schrieb:

Also, we would like an additional source of light in the bathroom, preferably a door, so that we have access to the garage roof.

A door to the garage roof fits if it opens outwards between the bathtub and the toilet. Whether this creates an unfavorable line of sight, I cannot say as I do not know the surroundings of the house. Sometimes, building authorities do not approve accessible garage roofs and may then impose requirements for fall protection. Sometimes, it is simply not permitted.

Murmele305 schrieb:

Only we think it could be done better.

I agree with that. What are the three columns under the garage in the basement supposed to be for?

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Please complete the questionnaire and include the site plan with the house marked on it.

I would also compare it with my (at least imaginable) future reality. You cannot say whether "more" is possible, because having "more" of something might mean having less for someone else. Things that others may like might not appeal to you at all, and vice versa; they might prefer this or that instead.

Murmele305 schrieb:

We’re not sure if the seating window on the ground floor is really useful or will actually be used.

We recently discussed this topic here, but in a different context. First, I would consider a sill height of 60cm (24 inches) too high and would probably go for about 40cm (16 inches). We have something similar, but only installed a 30cm (12 inches) deep windowsill. You can sit on it briefly (which none of us actually do), but you get a nice view through the large window. So I would first clarify with you where and how your furniture will actually be placed, and generally draw ALL furniture into the plan with REAL dimensions, otherwise the meaningfulness of your plan is limited. As @wiltshire already says, the sofa position shown is awkward; do you really have exactly that sofa shape and size? What do you see when you look out the window, do you want to create something outside there? Are you TV fans, or do you rather use that area as a relaxing zone with a nice view, music, or reading? In that case, the deep window there can be quite nice. However, it currently extends quite far into the room and takes up space that I wouldn’t want to lose. For example, with us, the windows are flush with the exterior wall, meaning the “30cm seating bench” completely disappears into the window reveal. I find this nice; whether someone sits on it or not is irrelevant, and it doesn’t interfere with the room. It’s simply a wide and deep windowsill made of beautiful wood—call it a partial seating window or however you like—and it doesn’t cost more than the other windowsills. Your drawing is not quite accurate as is; measure the seating surface—it’s currently missing several centimeters that would then extend into the room.

In my opinion, the office should only be on the ground floor. The space between the sofa and the dining table is huge.

Maybe something like this.