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

haydee schrieb:

What do you want to do with the rest of the garden? Level it?

Actually, yes. Is that common for gardens like this, or do people usually just live with the natural terrain?
I think it would be better for the kids and their play equipment. The children are still small, and the toddler paddling pools will initially stay on the terrace. But the pools will definitely get bigger over time, etc.

By the way, that’s still 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft) of garden we will have. I’m curious to see how it will turn out.

Smialbuddler schrieb:

You wouldn’t believe what a digger can quickly fix with your current planned fill.

Thanks. I hadn’t really thought about it that way. I always assumed I’d have to build exactly as approved. But you’re right, it’s not as irreversible as “wrong” decisions during the structural shell stage.

Does nobody really check afterward what has been done with the terrace, garden shed, and carport?
I don’t understand all the regulations if no one enforces them. But I’m not complaining.

pagoni2020 schrieb:

I believe that you can first establish a basic foundation

Yes, you’re right about that. That should be the goal.
The 15cm (6 inches) difference between the house finished floor level and the terrace is probably not important at this stage. If it were really an issue, we probably wouldn’t get a building permit / planning permission either. And if necessary, you can always add fill or remove material later.

For example, we will have a terrace, and the rest of the property is mostly flat or will be leveled at the end. Just plant grass and that’s it. If you start with elaborate garden design, it can quickly become over the top or look like what you often see in garden showrooms. You can put a paddling pool or similar right in the middle of the lawn, or let the kids decide. Don’t try to create a showcase garden—keep it simple. That saves money and nerves, but unfortunately, it will only earn you a lower rank in the unspoken neighborhood competition of having the most impressive (usually ugliest) garden.

We always added to ours gradually, with mostly simple yet affordable ideas. For example, you can just lay down wooden beams as borders instead of concreting flower beds or similar. Less is often more.

Wait and see what the children actually enjoy. Maybe it will be a tent that they want to move around all the time, or a tent village instead of a slide, or the leftover mound of earth might be more exciting than some fancy play equipment from a showroom.

If you do it this way, you can keep changing things and won’t have permanent concrete structures standing around.

I once saw someone who had an old tram car in their garden, using it as a coffee spot, or an old rusty VW bus deliberately used as decoration. Be bold, even a bit crazy, in a way that suits you, and don’t let anyone else define your taste.

If not in your own garden, where else should you be able to relax without worry?

When your neighbor looks away with disdain, that’s a strong sign that you’ve created something great for yourself.

The outdoor area develops over time. I probably wouldn’t add a large amount of fill all at once.

For the perennial bed, it doesn’t matter if it’s flat or sloped. A slide, water slide, or climbing area works very well on a slope. Filling in perfectly straight and aggressively costs money, especially since you also need proper retaining measures.

Quick question:
Are interior door heights relevant for the building permit / planning permission?

I have all the application documents in front of me and suddenly notice in section A-A that the doors on the upper floor are 2.01 meters (6 ft 7 in) high instead of 2.135 meters (7 ft).

Can this be easily changed after the building permit is approved, or will it become complicated if I submit it like this?
The agreed doors on the ground floor and upper floor were supposed to be 2.135 meters (7 ft) high.

Interior doors do not matter for the building permit / planning permission.