ᐅ Floor Plan Revision: Tips and Experiences for Improvement?
Created on: 29 Aug 2025 22:16
P
Philip St
Hello,
we had a local construction company prepare a design for our future building project, which we have already revised several times. We would be very grateful for tips or alternative design ideas for the current plan.
We would like an exposed roof truss and would prefer to do without the otherwise very small attic space.
We accepted the steep driveway in order to achieve a better view.
The terrace at the back is currently only accessible through the garden.
Construction is planned for about 8 months from now for various reasons. Two adults, two children (who will then be 13 and 11 years old).
Slightly sloped plot, 670sqm (7,215 sqft).
Development Plan / Restrictions
No development plan / zoning restrictions
Plot size
670sqm (7,215 sqft)
Slope
Yes, visible in the plan
Floor Area Ratio
2 (The builder said otherwise it would look too bulky and we only want two floors)
Number of parking spaces
We need at least two car spaces
Garage large enough for easy entry and exit. Parking in front of the garage must also be possible.
Roof style
Gable roof, staggered shed roof, flexible at this point, preferably with exposed roof truss because the current attic space is very limited
Architectural style
Modern, with lots of wood
Orientation
South
Maximum height / limits
Unknown to me. Neighbor does not accept any setback easement, so we have added greenery on the east side of the patio towards them.
Owners’ Requirements
Number of occupants
Two adults, 40 years old, two children, 11 and 13 years old
Office: Family use or home office?
Office to be usable as a guest room, no home office needed. Still requires a desk and cabinets
Possibly later on the upper floor as the parents’ bedroom, so one child can use the ground floor granny flat. So two separate living units.
Guest bedrooms per year
Very rare visitors
Open or closed architecture
Open, but with retreat options
Conservative or modern construction style
Modern
Open kitchen with cooking island
Seating for 8
Fireplace yes
Balcony currently planned, slightly overhangs the terrace below
Roof terrace on garage
Garage as a large multi-purpose garage with some storage space
Utility garden for ornamental plants, many shrubs, and a hedge at the front for privacy. We would prefer to avoid a shed.
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, also reasons why certain things should or shouldn’t be
We want to take advantage of the view since the plot was expensive.
We are not fully satisfied with the current design, as I explained in the post.
Steep driveway, path from garage to kitchen, after the stairs you face a wall upstairs and don’t have a direct view out of the windows, roof terrace is isolated, no quick garden access from the upper floor to the north terrace
House Design
Who created the plan:
Construction company from our area, one architect prepared the plan
What do you particularly like? Why?
Good use of space inside and outdoors for a small plot
Enough garden area remains
Bright rooms, sleeping downstairs, living upstairs, large dining area, fireplace in living area, possible two living units later, half-landing stairs
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
680k including exterior works
Personal price limit for the house including fittings: 700k excluding land
Preferred heating technology: Air heat pump
If you had to give up something, which details or features
We are completely flexible
Why is the design like it is?
Standard design from the planner? No, it was individually planned, but largely without us and with little discussion about details, no advice
Attached are images and the site plan.
we had a local construction company prepare a design for our future building project, which we have already revised several times. We would be very grateful for tips or alternative design ideas for the current plan.
We would like an exposed roof truss and would prefer to do without the otherwise very small attic space.
We accepted the steep driveway in order to achieve a better view.
The terrace at the back is currently only accessible through the garden.
Construction is planned for about 8 months from now for various reasons. Two adults, two children (who will then be 13 and 11 years old).
Slightly sloped plot, 670sqm (7,215 sqft).
Development Plan / Restrictions
No development plan / zoning restrictions
Plot size
670sqm (7,215 sqft)
Slope
Yes, visible in the plan
Floor Area Ratio
2 (The builder said otherwise it would look too bulky and we only want two floors)
Number of parking spaces
We need at least two car spaces
Garage large enough for easy entry and exit. Parking in front of the garage must also be possible.
Roof style
Gable roof, staggered shed roof, flexible at this point, preferably with exposed roof truss because the current attic space is very limited
Architectural style
Modern, with lots of wood
Orientation
South
Maximum height / limits
Unknown to me. Neighbor does not accept any setback easement, so we have added greenery on the east side of the patio towards them.
Owners’ Requirements
Number of occupants
Two adults, 40 years old, two children, 11 and 13 years old
Office: Family use or home office?
Office to be usable as a guest room, no home office needed. Still requires a desk and cabinets
Possibly later on the upper floor as the parents’ bedroom, so one child can use the ground floor granny flat. So two separate living units.
Guest bedrooms per year
Very rare visitors
Open or closed architecture
Open, but with retreat options
Conservative or modern construction style
Modern
Open kitchen with cooking island
Seating for 8
Fireplace yes
Balcony currently planned, slightly overhangs the terrace below
Roof terrace on garage
Garage as a large multi-purpose garage with some storage space
Utility garden for ornamental plants, many shrubs, and a hedge at the front for privacy. We would prefer to avoid a shed.
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, also reasons why certain things should or shouldn’t be
We want to take advantage of the view since the plot was expensive.
We are not fully satisfied with the current design, as I explained in the post.
Steep driveway, path from garage to kitchen, after the stairs you face a wall upstairs and don’t have a direct view out of the windows, roof terrace is isolated, no quick garden access from the upper floor to the north terrace
House Design
Who created the plan:
Construction company from our area, one architect prepared the plan
What do you particularly like? Why?
Good use of space inside and outdoors for a small plot
Enough garden area remains
Bright rooms, sleeping downstairs, living upstairs, large dining area, fireplace in living area, possible two living units later, half-landing stairs
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
680k including exterior works
Personal price limit for the house including fittings: 700k excluding land
Preferred heating technology: Air heat pump
If you had to give up something, which details or features
We are completely flexible
Why is the design like it is?
Standard design from the planner? No, it was individually planned, but largely without us and with little discussion about details, no advice
Attached are images and the site plan.
H
hanghaus20238 Sep 2025 09:14You do realize it only works in a somewhat similar way.
But it will also be several tens of thousands more expensive.
I already have some ideas regarding the floor plan. Unfortunately, I’m not the expert here.
The entrance and stairwell will be the challenge if it is to be divided into two separate residential units.
But it will also be several tens of thousands more expensive.
I already have some ideas regarding the floor plan. Unfortunately, I’m not the expert here.
The entrance and stairwell will be the challenge if it is to be divided into two separate residential units.
Philip St schrieb:
That’s why I would prefer a better floor plan.Yes, okay!But why are you asking…
Philip St schrieb:
Would youPhilip St schrieb:
…or raise the house a bit to get more light in the rooms at the back, fewer issues with a granny flat,…again here to us…Philip St schrieb:
That’s why I was interested in your opinion on my question. Would you prefer a back exit or brighter rooms?…if you can decide that yourself and have already made a solid and convincing argument for it with #84?You should maybe tick that off for yourself, define the matter, and then build further based on that decision.
This concerns the site location first, then the approximate positioning of the garage/carport, and then the floor plan inside the house.
Many here also don’t really see the granny flat as a feasible option.
Also, consider that building a house on a slope involves moving a lot of earth. So it makes sense that the slope and plot don’t necessarily have to be straight against the house or flush with it. If you absolutely want a proper window rather than a strip window or a basement window well somewhere, the earth can be shaped accordingly. The same applies to a seating area (let’s call it a north terrace here, since one can’t estimate what a covered east terrace would look like) — this seating area can, if you want, be sunken to ground floor level or raised up. Sure, this isn’t done everywhere where it doesn’t make sense, but where you are just one meter short, I’d make sure to get that meter exactly where it’s needed.
Regarding defined slope conditions, I prefer to stay out of it unless there is a sectional drawing, spot heights, or a site plan with contour lines available.
So it feels like your ideas and wishes just don’t really fit the property overall. Maybe you should mentally discard everything and rethink it, including which rooms can or must be on which floor, and so on. I’m not sure at the moment... Are you allowed to add another floor but just don’t want to, or is it not permitted?
P
Philip St8 Sep 2025 09:46Adding an extra floor increases the construction costs significantly and creates space we don’t need. We would prefer to have only what is truly necessary, and everything fits on two floors. The plot suits our idea of two residential units well; the claim is just nonsense. More useful for us would be advice on where to place rooms in the basement or, as mentioned above, on how to shape the terrain. That’s something I can work with, thanks for that.
H
hanghaus20238 Sep 2025 12:57I have now shown you how it can work. Now it is up to your architect to implement your wishes.
I can share my floor plans as well. Whether something like this can be realized and is desirable?
However, this only works if the second residential unit is intended for use by the family.
I can share my floor plans as well. Whether something like this can be realized and is desirable?
However, this only works if the second residential unit is intended for use by the family.
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