ᐅ Floor Plan for a Semi-Detached House (7x10 meters) – Your Expertise Needed
Created on: 22 Aug 2016 21:11
J
Jazz089
Development plan/restrictions: unfortunately, there is a development plan
Plot size: 348sqm (3746 sq ft)
Slope: flat
Site coverage ratio:
Floor area ratio: 0.4
Building envelope, building line, and boundary: 7x10m (23x33 ft)
Adjacent buildings: single-family houses
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: full floors plus attic
Roof type: gable roof, 30°
Architectural style
Orientation: south/west/east (a bit of each) J
Maximum height/limits: I believe 6m (20 ft)
Further requirements: unknown
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type: gable roof
Basement, floors: basement plus 2 full floors, finished attic
Number of occupants, age: currently 2 adults and a toddler, another child planned
Space requirements for ground floor and upper floor
Office / guest room
Number of overnight guests per year: rather few
Open architecture
Modern construction
Open kitchen
Number of dining seats: 5
Fireplace: yes
Music/stereo wall: maybe
Balcony, roof terrace: would be nice but not planned
Garage, carport: double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse
Additional wishes/particularities/daily routine
House design
Planning by:
- Planner from a construction company
What do you like most? not much, the location of the plot
What do you not like? relatively large kitchen (bay window lies outside the building envelope → may not be approved), very little space for a small shower room in the attic, no or hardly any space for a shower
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings:
Preferred heating system: gas with solar
If you have to give up on which details/extensions
- can you do without:
- can’t do without:
Dear experienced home builders,
Here comes another floor plan, this time quite standard, as we are building a very normal semi-detached house. Still, I hope you can help me a bit. I at least have the feeling that there are some valuable tips for me here in the forum. Thank you very much in advance.
As you can see, we are unfortunately very limited due to the small building envelope and can’t build a very large semi-detached house. We would like to place a bay window outside the building envelope to gain extra space on the ground floor. Unfortunately, this would mean we no longer qualify for the simplified approval process and would have to have the plan fully approved. Our builder (I think they just want to get their payment as soon as possible) insists on staying within the simplified approval process, but we want to at least try to get the bay window approved. That’s why there are two plans, with and without the bay window.
Somehow, I am not satisfied with the floor plan at all. I actually wanted the staircase access to be in the hallway, but now I see that this takes up a lot of space and the kitchen (which, by the way, lacks a window) seems relatively large. I would prefer to move the stairway a bit to the right and reduce the storage room. But this leads to our big problem: we would like to have a shower room in the attic. That is already hardly possible, and if the stairway moves even further right, there would barely be any space left... oh man, does anyone here have a solution?
We basically need to redesign the basement again. It seems that the builder didn’t quite understand us...
Anyway, I look forward to any critical tips and hope for plenty of feedback! Many thanks in advance to the forum community!!!!
Plot size: 348sqm (3746 sq ft)
Slope: flat
Site coverage ratio:
Floor area ratio: 0.4
Building envelope, building line, and boundary: 7x10m (23x33 ft)
Adjacent buildings: single-family houses
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: full floors plus attic
Roof type: gable roof, 30°
Architectural style
Orientation: south/west/east (a bit of each) J
Maximum height/limits: I believe 6m (20 ft)
Further requirements: unknown
Client requirements
Style, roof type, building type: gable roof
Basement, floors: basement plus 2 full floors, finished attic
Number of occupants, age: currently 2 adults and a toddler, another child planned
Space requirements for ground floor and upper floor
Office / guest room
Number of overnight guests per year: rather few
Open architecture
Modern construction
Open kitchen
Number of dining seats: 5
Fireplace: yes
Music/stereo wall: maybe
Balcony, roof terrace: would be nice but not planned
Garage, carport: double garage
Utility garden, greenhouse
Additional wishes/particularities/daily routine
House design
Planning by:
- Planner from a construction company
What do you like most? not much, the location of the plot
What do you not like? relatively large kitchen (bay window lies outside the building envelope → may not be approved), very little space for a small shower room in the attic, no or hardly any space for a shower
Price estimate according to architect/planner:
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings:
Preferred heating system: gas with solar
If you have to give up on which details/extensions
- can you do without:
- can’t do without:
Dear experienced home builders,
Here comes another floor plan, this time quite standard, as we are building a very normal semi-detached house. Still, I hope you can help me a bit. I at least have the feeling that there are some valuable tips for me here in the forum. Thank you very much in advance.
As you can see, we are unfortunately very limited due to the small building envelope and can’t build a very large semi-detached house. We would like to place a bay window outside the building envelope to gain extra space on the ground floor. Unfortunately, this would mean we no longer qualify for the simplified approval process and would have to have the plan fully approved. Our builder (I think they just want to get their payment as soon as possible) insists on staying within the simplified approval process, but we want to at least try to get the bay window approved. That’s why there are two plans, with and without the bay window.
Somehow, I am not satisfied with the floor plan at all. I actually wanted the staircase access to be in the hallway, but now I see that this takes up a lot of space and the kitchen (which, by the way, lacks a window) seems relatively large. I would prefer to move the stairway a bit to the right and reduce the storage room. But this leads to our big problem: we would like to have a shower room in the attic. That is already hardly possible, and if the stairway moves even further right, there would barely be any space left... oh man, does anyone here have a solution?
We basically need to redesign the basement again. It seems that the builder didn’t quite understand us...
Anyway, I look forward to any critical tips and hope for plenty of feedback! Many thanks in advance to the forum community!!!!
Yes, Munich is expensive, but that’s exactly why I would try to get the most out of a house that will eventually cost me nearly a million. Here, the design just looks “pretty.” Could it be that the planner lost interest and just wanted to be done with you?
If I remember correctly, you’re building with a developer, and with them, only a certain number of planning hours are budgeted; otherwise, the business case doesn’t work anymore. You’re currently exceeding the business case. Of course, they don’t like that...
Still, be persistent and try to get improvements made.
I would plan the attic floor much more freely as well. The toilet doesn’t have to stand alone, but it fits well into the planned bathroom. Everything else can be part of the bedroom/wellness area. Take a look online—there are lots of very clever ideas. Bathtubs in the bedroom are currently trendy! And a shower can surely work as well. Be creative here, and you will find much better solutions than a tiny shower squeezed under the 2-meter (6 ft 7 in) ceiling height line.
You can leave the upper floor as is. How often do your children bathe? Maybe just a shower bathroom here?
Ground floor: I don’t find the kitchen very practical as it is; you can get more out of it. Consult a good kitchen planner BEFORE the plans are finalized, especially before the connections are set. Right now, there are long distances and a zigzag path. I would consider placing just one kitchen run against the wall toward the garage and a long, rather narrow island in the middle. That should be more ergonomic and offer you more options. The tiny counter currently at the top of the plan is somehow always in the way and, I’d bet, mainly used for “quickly” placing things. I’d rather put a cabinet/display case there to store dishes (for example, the “nice” porcelain, the glasses used only for special occasions, etc.) or leave it open.
The bay window won’t bring you much as it is too narrow. It doesn’t look right here because the planner drew miniature furniture (I’m telling you: they just wanted to finish). Make scale paper models of furniture and try to furnish the bay window. I dare say that a normal table won’t fit. Even a relatively narrow table needs 90cm (35 inches), and a chair should be planned with 60cm (24 inches) depth including the backrest. That’s already 210cm (83 inches), and the chair would be right at the table. You should allow about 45cm (18 inches) of free space behind each side of the chair. A somewhat stocky person will have trouble getting up... So, it’s tight. You could use the bay as a light space and put large plants there. Is this worth the extra cost? I would probably spend on a nice, large sliding door instead of the bay window and use the terrace as a summer space extension. Overall, it doesn’t add much space because you already have room for a dining table in the actual house, for example, in front of the sofa along its length.
The stove placement is suboptimal. There are clever, unusual solutions for this as well. I would place the stove more centrally in the living/kitchen area. Why not freestanding? There are quite interesting options, and you could see the stove from the dining area, living area, and kitchen. The chimney would then run through one of the children’s rooms or the hallway on the upper floor. The living corner could be fully utilized. The current furniture arrangement is also rather suboptimal for an open-plan living concept. The sofa should face openly into the room, not have its back to it. If the stove were removed, the TV could go there and the sofa into the cozy niche that would then form (the TV could also be placed a bit more into the room so you could occasionally watch it from the dining table; during major events/washing machine times, that’s quite popular with the gentlemen!).
Overall, it’s already quite good, but with some cool ideas, you could get even more out of it!
If I remember correctly, you’re building with a developer, and with them, only a certain number of planning hours are budgeted; otherwise, the business case doesn’t work anymore. You’re currently exceeding the business case. Of course, they don’t like that...
Still, be persistent and try to get improvements made.
I would plan the attic floor much more freely as well. The toilet doesn’t have to stand alone, but it fits well into the planned bathroom. Everything else can be part of the bedroom/wellness area. Take a look online—there are lots of very clever ideas. Bathtubs in the bedroom are currently trendy! And a shower can surely work as well. Be creative here, and you will find much better solutions than a tiny shower squeezed under the 2-meter (6 ft 7 in) ceiling height line.
You can leave the upper floor as is. How often do your children bathe? Maybe just a shower bathroom here?
Ground floor: I don’t find the kitchen very practical as it is; you can get more out of it. Consult a good kitchen planner BEFORE the plans are finalized, especially before the connections are set. Right now, there are long distances and a zigzag path. I would consider placing just one kitchen run against the wall toward the garage and a long, rather narrow island in the middle. That should be more ergonomic and offer you more options. The tiny counter currently at the top of the plan is somehow always in the way and, I’d bet, mainly used for “quickly” placing things. I’d rather put a cabinet/display case there to store dishes (for example, the “nice” porcelain, the glasses used only for special occasions, etc.) or leave it open.
The bay window won’t bring you much as it is too narrow. It doesn’t look right here because the planner drew miniature furniture (I’m telling you: they just wanted to finish). Make scale paper models of furniture and try to furnish the bay window. I dare say that a normal table won’t fit. Even a relatively narrow table needs 90cm (35 inches), and a chair should be planned with 60cm (24 inches) depth including the backrest. That’s already 210cm (83 inches), and the chair would be right at the table. You should allow about 45cm (18 inches) of free space behind each side of the chair. A somewhat stocky person will have trouble getting up... So, it’s tight. You could use the bay as a light space and put large plants there. Is this worth the extra cost? I would probably spend on a nice, large sliding door instead of the bay window and use the terrace as a summer space extension. Overall, it doesn’t add much space because you already have room for a dining table in the actual house, for example, in front of the sofa along its length.
The stove placement is suboptimal. There are clever, unusual solutions for this as well. I would place the stove more centrally in the living/kitchen area. Why not freestanding? There are quite interesting options, and you could see the stove from the dining area, living area, and kitchen. The chimney would then run through one of the children’s rooms or the hallway on the upper floor. The living corner could be fully utilized. The current furniture arrangement is also rather suboptimal for an open-plan living concept. The sofa should face openly into the room, not have its back to it. If the stove were removed, the TV could go there and the sofa into the cozy niche that would then form (the TV could also be placed a bit more into the room so you could occasionally watch it from the dining table; during major events/washing machine times, that’s quite popular with the gentlemen!).
Overall, it’s already quite good, but with some cool ideas, you could get even more out of it!
@Jazz089 ... maybe one more suggestion ...
You are building with a basement. With the currently planned staircase, using the basement as storage, for example for garden furniture in winter, will be really inconvenient.
I would actually consider designing the ground floor similar to my plan:
Then plan an external basement entrance next to the garage at the top right of the plan. I could also imagine that a "children’s access" would be better through the basement since there is more space to keep everything children need easily accessible, while the hallway on the ground floor is used more as a guest corridor. Unfortunately, in my plan, it is only 156 cm (5 feet 1 inch) wide.
In my opinion, this layout would be a nicer spatial concept because the open space in the living/dining/kitchen area is created where it is most useful—around the fireplace.
An external basement staircase with a suitable small roof should not cost more than the bay window and might cause fewer issues with the building permit / planning permission.
You are building with a basement. With the currently planned staircase, using the basement as storage, for example for garden furniture in winter, will be really inconvenient.
I would actually consider designing the ground floor similar to my plan:
Then plan an external basement entrance next to the garage at the top right of the plan. I could also imagine that a "children’s access" would be better through the basement since there is more space to keep everything children need easily accessible, while the hallway on the ground floor is used more as a guest corridor. Unfortunately, in my plan, it is only 156 cm (5 feet 1 inch) wide.
In my opinion, this layout would be a nicer spatial concept because the open space in the living/dining/kitchen area is created where it is most useful—around the fireplace.
An external basement staircase with a suitable small roof should not cost more than the bay window and might cause fewer issues with the building permit / planning permission.
First of all, thanks again for your feedback and input.
I wouldn’t really call them planners on our side—more like draftsmen. There were no ideas or proposals, just the technical drawings. We don’t have a set hours budget or anything like that, but of course, they want to finish eventually. I get the feeling that the construction company actually dislikes us. We put a lot of pressure on them and don’t just sign immediately, etc. Sometimes I feel like they think we’re stupid. Then the answer is always something like, “You have such high demands.” Well, whatever.
Our planner actually recommended not installing a shower at all on the top floor, just a toilet up there. But we didn’t want that. Honestly, I don’t like open or freestanding showers or bathtubs. We will probably have to give up the shower after all. Do you think a small, shortened bathtub would work?
Regarding the furniture layout with the table, I honestly haven’t thought much about it. I marked out the bay window and found it sufficient... let’s say bigger would of course be better, but financially it’s not feasible, as I said. So honestly, I don’t know what we should do.
We spent over 10 hours with a kitchen consultant who was really good. After that, we changed the kitchen door. The stove will be placed opposite the oven. But the kitchen planning wasn’t easy either, although we are satisfied with it.
Oh yes, we will have two terraces: one by the large sliding patio door and another one between the bay window and terrace.
Well, I actually really like the idea of an outdoor staircase to the basement. If it were feasible, I would do it immediately.
So, you see. I’m really quite emotionless about this. I’m paying almost a million euros for this standard doghouse and getting nothing for it!
I wouldn’t really call them planners on our side—more like draftsmen. There were no ideas or proposals, just the technical drawings. We don’t have a set hours budget or anything like that, but of course, they want to finish eventually. I get the feeling that the construction company actually dislikes us. We put a lot of pressure on them and don’t just sign immediately, etc. Sometimes I feel like they think we’re stupid. Then the answer is always something like, “You have such high demands.” Well, whatever.
Our planner actually recommended not installing a shower at all on the top floor, just a toilet up there. But we didn’t want that. Honestly, I don’t like open or freestanding showers or bathtubs. We will probably have to give up the shower after all. Do you think a small, shortened bathtub would work?
Regarding the furniture layout with the table, I honestly haven’t thought much about it. I marked out the bay window and found it sufficient... let’s say bigger would of course be better, but financially it’s not feasible, as I said. So honestly, I don’t know what we should do.
We spent over 10 hours with a kitchen consultant who was really good. After that, we changed the kitchen door. The stove will be placed opposite the oven. But the kitchen planning wasn’t easy either, although we are satisfied with it.
Oh yes, we will have two terraces: one by the large sliding patio door and another one between the bay window and terrace.
Well, I actually really like the idea of an outdoor staircase to the basement. If it were feasible, I would do it immediately.
So, you see. I’m really quite emotionless about this. I’m paying almost a million euros for this standard doghouse and getting nothing for it!
K
Karlstraße30 Nov 2016 20:54In short: You won’t be happy with this, especially not for that amount of money. I say this sincerely. We looked at a small detached house from the developer, reserved it a year ago, and examined the plans thoroughly, but we were never truly enthusiastic, and our gut feeling always told us it wasn’t right. Now we have a plot of land and are looking forward to planning with an independent architect to design our custom home.
Before spending that much on such a place, I would rather look further out or buy a ground-floor apartment. Nearly a million and no basic features like a shower? That makes no sense to me at all. Could it be that you want to buy just because you think there’s nothing else available? It doesn’t matter if the homebuilder doesn’t like you; we also withdrew our reservation (the property was being sold through our bank). I explained my reasons, and I signed the financing for the plot with them, and interestingly, their interest rates were lower than at Interhyp and Commerzbank—no one was upset here…
So please think it over again, I really mean that…
And if you absolutely want to go ahead, then only with plans that truly match your processes and wishes! The square meter area isn’t small, but the layout is hardly usable. The reasons for this have been mentioned many times.
Please don’t take this personally.
Before spending that much on such a place, I would rather look further out or buy a ground-floor apartment. Nearly a million and no basic features like a shower? That makes no sense to me at all. Could it be that you want to buy just because you think there’s nothing else available? It doesn’t matter if the homebuilder doesn’t like you; we also withdrew our reservation (the property was being sold through our bank). I explained my reasons, and I signed the financing for the plot with them, and interestingly, their interest rates were lower than at Interhyp and Commerzbank—no one was upset here…
So please think it over again, I really mean that…
And if you absolutely want to go ahead, then only with plans that truly match your processes and wishes! The square meter area isn’t small, but the layout is hardly usable. The reasons for this have been mentioned many times.
Please don’t take this personally.
No worries, I don’t feel offended.
I just think that very few here really understand the types of houses being built here in Munich... Some houses are being built with a width of only 4.5 meters (15 feet). And families know what they are getting into. So do we. And yes, we are looking forward to our house, and that’s why we’re not backing out. Even if we might not have a second bathroom with a shower. The world won’t end because of that.
I just think that very few here really understand the types of houses being built here in Munich... Some houses are being built with a width of only 4.5 meters (15 feet). And families know what they are getting into. So do we. And yes, we are looking forward to our house, and that’s why we’re not backing out. Even if we might not have a second bathroom with a shower. The world won’t end because of that.
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