Hello,
I have been following this forum for some time and have already gathered some useful ideas.
Today, I would like to ask for your feedback on our floor plan.
We are building on a relatively small plot. Therefore, we decided to include a basement, as my wife and I both work from home and need an office.
Since we are planning to have children, we also need space for them.
Here is the completed questionnaire:
Development plan/restrictions
Plot size: 402sqm (approximately 4329 sq ft)
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Building envelope, building line and boundary: see attached image
Boundary development: yes
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: II (2 stories)
Roof type: single-pitched roof max 45°, pitched roof, shed roof max 30°
Architectural style: basically masonry, plaster or wood facades allowed
Maximum heights/limits: ridge height max 9.5m (31 ft), eaves height max 4.5m (15 ft)
Client requirements
Style, roof shape, building type
Basement, floors: basement + 2 floors
Number of occupants, age 2 (30) + 2 children (planned)
Office: home office
Annual overnight guests
Open or closed architectural concept
Conservative or modern design
Open kitchen, kitchen island
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace
No balcony or roof terrace required
Garage or carport depending on cost
House design
Designed by:
- Planner from a construction company
Cost estimate from architect/planner is not yet available
Preferred heating system: probably gas due to cost reasons
If you have to give up, which details/features
- can be given up:
Carport or garage can be added later
- cannot be given up:
Large office, fireplace
Why is the design like it is now?
The plan is based on a house we liked. However, it had to be smaller and include a basement. At first, the stairs were swapped, but we didn’t like that the children always had to pass through the living room.
Additionally, a laundry shaft was added, and the fireplace was moved from the corner where the laundry shaft now is to its current position.
In return, a storage room was added on the upper floor (next to the stairs). We do not like this because it blocks the light in the hallway.
I have been following this forum for some time and have already gathered some useful ideas.
Today, I would like to ask for your feedback on our floor plan.
We are building on a relatively small plot. Therefore, we decided to include a basement, as my wife and I both work from home and need an office.
Since we are planning to have children, we also need space for them.
Here is the completed questionnaire:
Development plan/restrictions
Plot size: 402sqm (approximately 4329 sq ft)
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Building envelope, building line and boundary: see attached image
Boundary development: yes
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: II (2 stories)
Roof type: single-pitched roof max 45°, pitched roof, shed roof max 30°
Architectural style: basically masonry, plaster or wood facades allowed
Maximum heights/limits: ridge height max 9.5m (31 ft), eaves height max 4.5m (15 ft)
Client requirements
Style, roof shape, building type
Basement, floors: basement + 2 floors
Number of occupants, age 2 (30) + 2 children (planned)
Office: home office
Annual overnight guests
Open or closed architectural concept
Conservative or modern design
Open kitchen, kitchen island
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace
No balcony or roof terrace required
Garage or carport depending on cost
House design
Designed by:
- Planner from a construction company
Cost estimate from architect/planner is not yet available
Preferred heating system: probably gas due to cost reasons
If you have to give up, which details/features
- can be given up:
Carport or garage can be added later
- cannot be given up:
Large office, fireplace
Why is the design like it is now?
The plan is based on a house we liked. However, it had to be smaller and include a basement. At first, the stairs were swapped, but we didn’t like that the children always had to pass through the living room.
Additionally, a laundry shaft was added, and the fireplace was moved from the corner where the laundry shaft now is to its current position.
In return, a storage room was added on the upper floor (next to the stairs). We do not like this because it blocks the light in the hallway.
The living room is now separated. The flow from the staircase leads to the right, towards the dining area, which serves as a central gathering place for family life. From there, the path continues towards the kitchen. For me, the route from upstairs always leads directly into the kitchen first. Is it different for you?
In the evening, the final stop is at the sink.
I always keep the ideal in mind that everyone—family members, friends, or children’s friends—gathers around the dining table or in the kitchen. The living room is completely out of the question.
I also don’t like it when dirt from the basement—or more precisely, from the garden and outdoor areas—is carried through the living spaces. A central hallway, accessible from the main entrance, is much better for that.
In the evening, the final stop is at the sink.
I always keep the ideal in mind that everyone—family members, friends, or children’s friends—gathers around the dining table or in the kitchen. The living room is completely out of the question.
I also don’t like it when dirt from the basement—or more precisely, from the garden and outdoor areas—is carried through the living spaces. A central hallway, accessible from the main entrance, is much better for that.
Okay, I can imagine it better for the kitchen than for the living room... That’s true. However, you still have the disadvantage that when entering through the front door, you walk straight into a sort of dead space. In the house that inspired our plans, you almost walk directly toward the staircase going upstairs... It is indirectly lit... looks quite nice.
Would you put a door in front of the basement stairs then?
Would you put a door in front of the basement stairs then?
J
j.bautsch5 Jan 2017 20:26I would install a door to the basement. The staircase is also located in the dining area at my in-laws’ house (the kitchen is next to it but open). I lived in that house for a while as a teenager, and neither my in-laws, my husband, his siblings, nor I ever really found it disadvantageous. The only downside is noise transmission to the upper floor, but in their case, the staircase is open within the room, and half of the room is open up to the upper floor (gallery).
I’ve been thinking again about ypgs’s suggestion but I'm still undecided...
A last trip to the kitchen in the evening is also possible this way... Even though the staircase is located at the bottom of the floor plan, there is a door from the kitchen to this staircase... Garden tools from the basement would have to be carried around the house through the main entrance if the basement stairs are at the bottom of the plan. Otherwise, it’s just once through the kitchen to the garden door...
Maybe both options are feasible with this layout, and it comes down to personal preference...
A last trip to the kitchen in the evening is also possible this way... Even though the staircase is located at the bottom of the floor plan, there is a door from the kitchen to this staircase... Garden tools from the basement would have to be carried around the house through the main entrance if the basement stairs are at the bottom of the plan. Otherwise, it’s just once through the kitchen to the garden door...
Maybe both options are feasible with this layout, and it comes down to personal preference...
jfwes schrieb:
Garden tools stored in the basement would have to be carried around the house through the front door if the basement stairs are at the lower side of the building. Otherwise, it’s just a single trip through the kitchen to the garden door...
Maybe both options are possible with this floor plan, and it’s a matter of personal preference...That is exactly the individual difference: we also have a front garden area or courtyard and prefer to go around the house with a spade and rubber boots rather than through the house.
That’s also why we decided against having a basement.
We experience it very much as @j.bautsch’s in-laws do: that’s how my parents had it too, and neither my parents nor I ever saw it as an issue—the open staircase from the dining area up to the gallery.
We haven’t decided yet either.
I like both options so far. Thanks a lot to everyone who has put some thought into this...
It was mentioned that the passage between the dining area and the living room might be too narrow. In the first draft, the fireplace was located in the lower left corner of the living room... It has now been moved to the passage because that’s where the laundry chute was put. Your idea was to move the laundry chute into the hallway. Then the fireplace could also be moved back to the corner... On the other hand, I also like it near the window seat. Where would you place it?
I like both options so far. Thanks a lot to everyone who has put some thought into this...
It was mentioned that the passage between the dining area and the living room might be too narrow. In the first draft, the fireplace was located in the lower left corner of the living room... It has now been moved to the passage because that’s where the laundry chute was put. Your idea was to move the laundry chute into the hallway. Then the fireplace could also be moved back to the corner... On the other hand, I also like it near the window seat. Where would you place it?
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