ᐅ Floor Plan Optimization for a Single-Family House of 140 m² on a Narrow Plot
Created on: 21 Aug 2024 22:51
J
JP_2024
Hello everyone,
We have the opportunity to purchase a plot of land including a house. However, the existing house is in such a condition that it requires demolition. Our plan is to build a new, small single-family home with approximately 140 m² (1,507 sq ft) of living space. Since we would like to include a basement and the current house already has one, our options for positioning the new house are somewhat limited.
We have already received a first draft from a prefabricated house manufacturer. I have incorporated this floor plan into the site plan and made a rough layout of the outdoor areas. Now, I would like to gather your expert opinions on this design. In the near future, I also plan to contact a local construction company or architect to get another offer – possibly with a more concrete idea of the floor plan.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 710 m² (7,645 sq ft)
Slope: no
Floor area ratio (FAR): -
Gross floor area ratio (GFAR): 2
Building window, building line, and boundary: marked building line does not officially exist according to the city building authority
Edge development: -
Number of parking spaces: -
Number of floors: -
Roof type: -
Architectural style: -
Orientation: -
Maximum height / restrictions: -
Other specifications: -
Homeowner Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: gable roof or hip roof
Basement, number of floors: basement plus 1.5 or 2 floors
Number of occupants, ages: 2 adults (ages 30/31), 1 child (1 year old), with another child planned
Space needs on ground floor (GF) and upper floor (UF): GF ideally with office and pantry, UF bedroom with small dressing room, two children’s rooms, and a bathroom
Office: family use or home office: home office, should also accommodate a sofa bed (guest room) if possible
Overnight guests per year: 2-3
Open or closed architecture: -
Conservative or modern design: modern design
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen
Number of dining seats: minimum 4, expandable to about 12 for special occasions
Fireplace: not necessary
Music/sound wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: garage if budget allows
Utility garden, greenhouse: -
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons for preferences: house should be planned with a basement since cellar excavation will already be available after demolition.
House Design
Who created the plan: prefabricated house manufacturer
-planner from a construction company
-architect
-do-it-yourself
What do you particularly like? Why?
The floor plan largely meets our wishes on the ground floor: an entrance on the north side, an office overlooking the driveway, a kitchen with an adjoining pantry, and an open living and dining area. On the upper floor, there is the option to set up a second home office space if both of us need to work from home at the same time.
What do you dislike? Why?
The straight staircase looks appealing but unfortunately takes up a lot of space on the upper floor, making the children’s rooms quite small. Additionally, the office on the ground floor does not have room for a sofa bed. The arrangement of doors in the entrance area and the staircase access from the living and dining area to the upper floor are also not ideal with children.
Price estimate according to architect/planner: €300,000 (from top of foundation slab, excluding flooring, painting, interior doors, etc.)
Personal budget limit for the house including equipment:
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up some details/features, which ones?
-can be given up: pantry / straight staircase
-cannot be given up: office, basement
Why has the design turned out this way? For example:
Standard design from the planner? Standard floor plan from the prefabricated house manufacturer?
Which wishes were implemented by the architect?
A mix of many examples from various magazines...
In your opinion, what makes it particularly good or bad?
Thank you very much for your opinions and support.
We have the opportunity to purchase a plot of land including a house. However, the existing house is in such a condition that it requires demolition. Our plan is to build a new, small single-family home with approximately 140 m² (1,507 sq ft) of living space. Since we would like to include a basement and the current house already has one, our options for positioning the new house are somewhat limited.
We have already received a first draft from a prefabricated house manufacturer. I have incorporated this floor plan into the site plan and made a rough layout of the outdoor areas. Now, I would like to gather your expert opinions on this design. In the near future, I also plan to contact a local construction company or architect to get another offer – possibly with a more concrete idea of the floor plan.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 710 m² (7,645 sq ft)
Slope: no
Floor area ratio (FAR): -
Gross floor area ratio (GFAR): 2
Building window, building line, and boundary: marked building line does not officially exist according to the city building authority
Edge development: -
Number of parking spaces: -
Number of floors: -
Roof type: -
Architectural style: -
Orientation: -
Maximum height / restrictions: -
Other specifications: -
Homeowner Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: gable roof or hip roof
Basement, number of floors: basement plus 1.5 or 2 floors
Number of occupants, ages: 2 adults (ages 30/31), 1 child (1 year old), with another child planned
Space needs on ground floor (GF) and upper floor (UF): GF ideally with office and pantry, UF bedroom with small dressing room, two children’s rooms, and a bathroom
Office: family use or home office: home office, should also accommodate a sofa bed (guest room) if possible
Overnight guests per year: 2-3
Open or closed architecture: -
Conservative or modern design: modern design
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen
Number of dining seats: minimum 4, expandable to about 12 for special occasions
Fireplace: not necessary
Music/sound wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: garage if budget allows
Utility garden, greenhouse: -
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons for preferences: house should be planned with a basement since cellar excavation will already be available after demolition.
House Design
Who created the plan: prefabricated house manufacturer
-planner from a construction company
-architect
-do-it-yourself
What do you particularly like? Why?
The floor plan largely meets our wishes on the ground floor: an entrance on the north side, an office overlooking the driveway, a kitchen with an adjoining pantry, and an open living and dining area. On the upper floor, there is the option to set up a second home office space if both of us need to work from home at the same time.
What do you dislike? Why?
The straight staircase looks appealing but unfortunately takes up a lot of space on the upper floor, making the children’s rooms quite small. Additionally, the office on the ground floor does not have room for a sofa bed. The arrangement of doors in the entrance area and the staircase access from the living and dining area to the upper floor are also not ideal with children.
Price estimate according to architect/planner: €300,000 (from top of foundation slab, excluding flooring, painting, interior doors, etc.)
Personal budget limit for the house including equipment:
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up some details/features, which ones?
-can be given up: pantry / straight staircase
-cannot be given up: office, basement
Why has the design turned out this way? For example:
Standard design from the planner? Standard floor plan from the prefabricated house manufacturer?
Which wishes were implemented by the architect?
A mix of many examples from various magazines...
In your opinion, what makes it particularly good or bad?
Thank you very much for your opinions and support.
Hello everyone,
After a few weeks, I’m reaching out again. The reason for the delay is that in September we discovered there is an existing hereditary building right on the property with a remaining term of 29 years. We first had to find a solution with the lessor—in this case, our municipality. Fortunately, we were able to reach an agreement: We are allowed to redeem the hereditary building right or buy the land.
However, the price for this is approximately €90,000 higher than originally planned.
In the meantime, as recommended by @11ant, we involved an experienced architect to prepare an assessment of the cellar’s condition. The result: The cellar can be preserved, but the house should be demolished.
Therefore, our plan probably looks like this:
After a few weeks, I’m reaching out again. The reason for the delay is that in September we discovered there is an existing hereditary building right on the property with a remaining term of 29 years. We first had to find a solution with the lessor—in this case, our municipality. Fortunately, we were able to reach an agreement: We are allowed to redeem the hereditary building right or buy the land.
However, the price for this is approximately €90,000 higher than originally planned.
In the meantime, as recommended by @11ant, we involved an experienced architect to prepare an assessment of the cellar’s condition. The result: The cellar can be preserved, but the house should be demolished.
Therefore, our plan probably looks like this:
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
Or something like that. Are there floor plans of the existing cellar?
11ant schrieb:
Then the direction would be clear to me:
Reuse the cellar, extend the addition over the septic tank as much as desired. For a usable cellar, I consider an external entrance sufficient, so the stairwell could be covered if the location of the stairs interferes with the floor plan layout upstairs. I wouldn’t have time before October (except for a preliminary discussion), but I am definitely interested in the project.
JP_2024 schrieb:
So our schedule will probably look like this: 11ant schrieb:
Then the direction is clear to me:
Continue using the basement, extend the addition over the septic tank as far as desired. For a utility basement, I consider an external access sufficient; therefore, the stairwell could be covered if the position of the stairs interferes with the floor plan above. I won’t have time before October (except for a preliminary discussion), but I am definitely interested in the project.
There is practically no time left this year before my vacation, but before Christmas we can certainly find time for a preliminary discussion and possibly schedule appointments for the Easter period.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/