ᐅ Floor Plan Optimization for Urban Villa + Considerations for Land Elevation

Smialbuddler schrieb:

And when you get to the point of working on the landscaping, make sure to hire a good (!) landscape gardener who can advise you on the design.

By then, the abstract K1 and K2 will have become a real Lea-Sophie and a real Finn-Leon, joyfully creating their own asymmetrical designs with their little shovels.

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

11ant schrieb:

Until then, the abstract K1 and K2 will become a real Lea-Sophie and a real Finn-Leon, shaping things quite asymmetrically with their little shovels

Well, so what? There’s no need to put pressure on yourself to finish everything within the moving-in year or at the latest the following year. Especially if you enjoy planning and thinking things through thoroughly. You can move in first, then observe how you and your family use the house and garden, where the noisy neighbor’s patio and compost pile are located, where the sun shines nicely, and then take your time to plan everything calmly. The goal is to be happy (and above all, to actually feel happy, even during the planning and construction phases) — not to win a race in the new housing development.

K1300S schrieb:

Did you read my post?

Yes, I did. Why do you think I didn’t read it? Because you wanted to tell me that once I have the building permit / planning permission, I can do whatever I want?

My concerns were different. A large terrace is important to us, but not a huge garden. My worry is that the terrace might become disproportionately large, and the children will have little space left to play. Also, we still need to fit a shed somewhere.
However, I would like to have a dining table on the terrace as well as a lounge area. A sunbed would also be nice.
The terrace is planned to be 8m (26 feet) long, which is the maximum length to leave enough space from the neighbors. I set the width at 4.5m (15 feet), if possible regarding the floor area ratio.
So you mean to really take the maximum for the terrace and just put the shed in anyway, even though the floor area ratio doesn’t allow it?
Unfortunately, I am very strict and afraid that someone might check and I would have to tear the shed down. That’s why I want to stick to it quite closely.
And I feel a bit selfish about the large terrace and wonder if I should have just kept it 4m (13 feet) wide.

@Smialbuddler
Regarding the windows, it was more about light, symmetry, and the look in terms of proportions, not the view. Since everything will be built up closely here, we will be looking at the back of a house. But I don’t mind having a nice, low-maintenance garden. I should stalk @Climbee’s garden sometime. Where can I find it?
It is definitely planned that we have a professional garden landscaper design it. Especially because of the sloping terrain, we find planning difficult. I wouldn’t be able to manage it myself either. So that should be done by an expert.
For me, the main issue is that we need to roughly plan the terrace size now. We will also need to add fill for it. It’s not possible to decide that after moving in. We will take care of everything else later with the professional.

Thanks to everyone who does not make fun of my need for symmetry or my feeling overwhelmed. I find it impolite in my thread to keep making jokes about it, especially when there are still people willing to help me here. It’s also not true that I’m unwilling to accept help. I am happy to take suggestions and am now comfortable with the interior of the house, so I’m focusing on other topics, like the terrace.

Shiny86 schrieb:

@Smialbuddler
The windows were more about light, symmetry, and appearance regarding size rather than the view. Since everything will be built densely here, we will be looking at the back of a house. But I have nothing against a nice low-maintenance garden. I need to check out @Climbee’s garden. Where can I find it?

You’ll still be looking outside during the day, no matter how you plan it. Especially with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, the boundary between inside and outside becomes blurred. I wouldn’t underestimate that.
Regarding small spaces and densely built homes, Climbee is probably a good example; she shared some pictures in the garden thread last week, that’s how I found her.

My personal opinion on terrace design and size for a small garden is to use as much wood as possible, create multiple areas or zones (you already mentioned different corners), and include some taller elements like trellises to make the space less easily visible all at once. A lounge chair can also be nice placed on the grass under a tree.

But (as always) that’s just my taste—and probably not yours.

(I know I shouldn’t do this, but I can’t change it.)

Yes, I believe that the floor area ratio is primarily relevant for the building permit / planning permission application and afterwards no one really cares. At least, this is what I have observed in thousands of residential developments. In this respect, I would submit an approvable plan, build the house (and garage?), and *then* consider where, how, and how large to build my terrace and garden shed, and carry this out afterwards. Whether you can reconcile this approach with your conscience is something you have to decide for yourself.

K1300S schrieb:

I know I shouldn’t do this, but I can’t change it.)

Shiny86 schrieb:

Since everything is built very close together here, we will be looking at the back of a house.

You can direct the view downward by having lower windows. A light strip about 60cm (24 inches) high, which starts at the height of the kitchen countertop, allows you to see only the nearest 4–5 meters (13–16 feet) of the garden or ground, but not straight ahead at a wall 6 meters (20 feet) away (personal experience).