ᐅ Single-family house floor plan, 230 sqm of living space, east-facing slope, Bauhaus style
Created on: 24 Aug 2022 13:42
R
RoterPapagei
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 610 sqm (about 15 x 40 m) rectangular
Slope: East-facing slope, approximately 28% gradient. Road downhill. The house is planned to be positioned in the upper third on the hill side (for privacy and view).
Floor area ratio: n.a. (no development plan)
Plot ratio: n.a.
Building window, building line and boundary: n.a.
Setbacks: presumably 2.50 meters (8 feet 2 inches) in all directions
Number of parking spaces: n.a.
Number of floors: n.a.
Roof type: n.a.
Architectural style: n.a.
Orientation: n.a.
Maximum heights / limits: n.a.
Other requirements: There is no formal development plan. However, the street features a variety of house types, so almost any architectural style should be possible.
Client Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: Bauhaus style, preferred flat roof (possibly also shed roof)
Basement, floors: Basement integrated as a living space in the slope, with two floors above
Number of occupants, ages: Currently 3 persons, aged 33, 32, and an infant
Space requirements on ground floor (GF), upper floor (UF):
GF: kitchen, pantry with sink niche, living room, study, WC, entrance area with dressing room
UF: master bedroom with dressing room, two children’s rooms, bathroom, roof terrace
Basement: guest room, guest bathroom, study, laundry room, technical room, storage room, fitness room
Office: currently family use, potential home office in future
Overnight guests per year: parents-in-law visit frequently
Open or enclosed layout: open
Traditional or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with island
Number of dining seats: one large dining table
Fireplace: preferred, as shown in the floor plan
Music/speaker wall: possibly in the living room
Balcony, roof terrace: roof terrace facing the valley (east side)
Garage, carport: double garage detached from the house, cut into the slope at the street
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Other wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be: no ventilation system, no smart home, photovoltaic system
House Design
Who designed it: do-it-yourself
Living area: approx. 230 sqm (including half the roof terrace area)
Usable area: approx. 260 sqm
What do you like most and why? The overhangs to the east and south, the glass facades, the integration into the slope, the straight staircase, the long visual axis on the ground floor
What do you like least and why? Possibly the entrance area as it may be too small; living room may be too small
Estimated cost according to architect/designer: not available yet
Personal budget for house including equipment: n.a.
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump, underfloor heating
If you have to compromise, on which details / extensions
- which can you do without: overhangs if much more expensive, flat roof if much more expensive
- which you cannot give up: glass facades
Why is the design as it is now?
The floor plans are a first draft, completely self-developed, and intended as a starting point for discussion. The design is based on three main principles: slope orientation, cardinal directions, and plot shape. Because of the east-facing slope, the larger floor-to-ceiling glass facades and living and dining rooms on the ground floor, as well as the guest room in the basement, are positioned facing east (offering a nice view of the valley). To allow access to the outside from the kitchen and take advantage of sunlight, the kitchen on the ground floor is adjacent on the south side, also with large glass facades. Another idea was to create a long line of sight to the valley directly upon entering the house, which is why the entrance is positioned on the uphill side. Functional rooms (bathrooms, technical room, dressing room, pantry, etc.) are generally oriented uphill (to the west). All WCs are stacked to simplify plumbing. The two 1-meter (3 feet 3 inches) cantilevers are mainly aesthetic but also provide some shading and would be dispensable if needed. The original shape was a simple 10 x 10 m (33 x 33 feet) cube, but this version is preferred by my wife and me. The glass facades are not yet fixed in size and serve as rough guidelines; they could be slightly smaller if structural requirements demand it. The straight staircase may be a point of discussion, although I personally find it very appealing visually.
Regarding privacy and neighbors: downhill side is not relevant due to the slope. On the uphill side a neighboring house is adjacent, so no open facades are planned there. On the north and south sides, houses are located further up the street, with tall trees and shrubs in between. This provides almost complete privacy.
Please ignore the outdoor areas not attached to terraces in the floor plans, as these were only used for rough simulation of the slope.
What is the key question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
Is our design heading in the right direction, or are there major issues we have overlooked?
The plan is also intended to obtain initial cost comparisons from various companies for a similar house. We understand that an architect will need to be involved in further planning.
We are grateful for any feedback!
Plot size: 610 sqm (about 15 x 40 m) rectangular
Slope: East-facing slope, approximately 28% gradient. Road downhill. The house is planned to be positioned in the upper third on the hill side (for privacy and view).
Floor area ratio: n.a. (no development plan)
Plot ratio: n.a.
Building window, building line and boundary: n.a.
Setbacks: presumably 2.50 meters (8 feet 2 inches) in all directions
Number of parking spaces: n.a.
Number of floors: n.a.
Roof type: n.a.
Architectural style: n.a.
Orientation: n.a.
Maximum heights / limits: n.a.
Other requirements: There is no formal development plan. However, the street features a variety of house types, so almost any architectural style should be possible.
Client Requirements
Architectural style, roof type, building type: Bauhaus style, preferred flat roof (possibly also shed roof)
Basement, floors: Basement integrated as a living space in the slope, with two floors above
Number of occupants, ages: Currently 3 persons, aged 33, 32, and an infant
Space requirements on ground floor (GF), upper floor (UF):
GF: kitchen, pantry with sink niche, living room, study, WC, entrance area with dressing room
UF: master bedroom with dressing room, two children’s rooms, bathroom, roof terrace
Basement: guest room, guest bathroom, study, laundry room, technical room, storage room, fitness room
Office: currently family use, potential home office in future
Overnight guests per year: parents-in-law visit frequently
Open or enclosed layout: open
Traditional or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with island
Number of dining seats: one large dining table
Fireplace: preferred, as shown in the floor plan
Music/speaker wall: possibly in the living room
Balcony, roof terrace: roof terrace facing the valley (east side)
Garage, carport: double garage detached from the house, cut into the slope at the street
Utility garden, greenhouse: no
Other wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons why something should or should not be: no ventilation system, no smart home, photovoltaic system
House Design
Who designed it: do-it-yourself
Living area: approx. 230 sqm (including half the roof terrace area)
Usable area: approx. 260 sqm
What do you like most and why? The overhangs to the east and south, the glass facades, the integration into the slope, the straight staircase, the long visual axis on the ground floor
What do you like least and why? Possibly the entrance area as it may be too small; living room may be too small
Estimated cost according to architect/designer: not available yet
Personal budget for house including equipment: n.a.
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump, underfloor heating
If you have to compromise, on which details / extensions
- which can you do without: overhangs if much more expensive, flat roof if much more expensive
- which you cannot give up: glass facades
Why is the design as it is now?
The floor plans are a first draft, completely self-developed, and intended as a starting point for discussion. The design is based on three main principles: slope orientation, cardinal directions, and plot shape. Because of the east-facing slope, the larger floor-to-ceiling glass facades and living and dining rooms on the ground floor, as well as the guest room in the basement, are positioned facing east (offering a nice view of the valley). To allow access to the outside from the kitchen and take advantage of sunlight, the kitchen on the ground floor is adjacent on the south side, also with large glass facades. Another idea was to create a long line of sight to the valley directly upon entering the house, which is why the entrance is positioned on the uphill side. Functional rooms (bathrooms, technical room, dressing room, pantry, etc.) are generally oriented uphill (to the west). All WCs are stacked to simplify plumbing. The two 1-meter (3 feet 3 inches) cantilevers are mainly aesthetic but also provide some shading and would be dispensable if needed. The original shape was a simple 10 x 10 m (33 x 33 feet) cube, but this version is preferred by my wife and me. The glass facades are not yet fixed in size and serve as rough guidelines; they could be slightly smaller if structural requirements demand it. The straight staircase may be a point of discussion, although I personally find it very appealing visually.
Regarding privacy and neighbors: downhill side is not relevant due to the slope. On the uphill side a neighboring house is adjacent, so no open facades are planned there. On the north and south sides, houses are located further up the street, with tall trees and shrubs in between. This provides almost complete privacy.
Please ignore the outdoor areas not attached to terraces in the floor plans, as these were only used for rough simulation of the slope.
What is the key question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
Is our design heading in the right direction, or are there major issues we have overlooked?
The plan is also intended to obtain initial cost comparisons from various companies for a similar house. We understand that an architect will need to be involved in further planning.
We are grateful for any feedback!
R
RoterPapagei24 Aug 2022 16:38haydee schrieb:
Build the house further down. You will have to carry everything up the stairs or path. First the stroller, then the groceries, which get heavier. It feels like the stairs get one step longer every year, and eventually your body can’t handle it.
The access path must be cleared and gritted in winter.
The longer the access path and house connections are, the more they will cost.
You should think carefully about the garden—not where to plant what, but about the spaces. The retaining and supporting walls need to be constructed alongside the house. Especially with such a slope, losing the next 100 meters (yards) is quite easy.
For a project worth around a million, the planning should be done by an architect. Create a room program and let them work. A room program doesn’t just mean listing the rooms, but also what they should include.
For example: a dressing room with 6 meters (20 feet) of continuous wardrobe space plus room for 500 pairs of shoes, which can optionally be in the cloakroom. The bed with its dimensions x. Maybe you have a longer bed because at 1.99 meters (6 ft 6 in) tall the usual 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) are uncomfortable, or you have a large, heavy, massive frame.
So your wishes, your special requirements. This is important for you, too. The existing or desired furnishings must always fit the floor plan.Thanks for the tips! Yes, we will probably position the house even deeper. We have already budgeted for earthworks in that area, and luckily we have a private contact for that.
Yes, much of the furnishing is missing from the floor plan. That is definitely an important aspect. I realize that an architect is essential even for budgeting and the early planning phase. Many thanks to everyone involved for this valuable information!
RoterPapagei schrieb:
Yes, 3500 Euro / sqm (square meter) might be tight. Oops… here we go again with the budget topic (sorry): a basic solid construction house without any extras, built on a slab foundation on a flat site, currently costs around 3000 €/sqm (square meter) plus the usual additional costs (landscaping, secondary construction costs, parking space).
Now look at how much you can afford if you first have to allocate a flat 100,000 € for earthworks due to the sloping site. It’s a simple back-of-the-envelope calculation, but it gives a rough idea of where things are heading.
RoterPapagei schrieb:
That’s why, for now, we agreed on the rear third of the plot. We would design a serpentine driveway up to the house to reduce the slope. In the end, it’s a trade-off between effort or convenience and structural considerations. I’m missing the site plan. Flat. 2D. It looks like the house would be best placed consistently at the front by the street. Then an east-facing terrace on the ground floor over the basement, and the upper floor connected to the west-facing garden.
The budget probably favors a partial basement including garage, then two smaller floors without a 7.5-meter (25 feet) fitness room, etc. I don’t see cantilevered sections being possible because of setback regulations.
Hillside properties should always be designed by an architect experienced with slopes.
K
k-man202124 Aug 2022 21:41If your budget allows, consider installing an elevator… we have a similar situation and are planning a garage built into a slope with an elevator from there upstairs.
An architect has already been mentioned often enough…
Keep in mind that privacy can be achieved structurally despite large glass facades, for example by recessing the private rooms on the upper floor.
An architect has already been mentioned often enough…
Keep in mind that privacy can be achieved structurally despite large glass facades, for example by recessing the private rooms on the upper floor.
W
WilderSueden24 Aug 2022 21:58RoterPapagei schrieb:
What kind of picture is that? 🙂 I took it last year during a hike near Grengiols. Since I started getting into house construction, I notice interesting buildings everywhere. Here, it was a garage located two floors below the house.
RoterPapagei schrieb:
You can also design a switchback road very nicely. Keep winter in mind. You’ll have to clear every switchback when it snows. Ice is also a big issue on such steep slopes.
Regardless of the weather, you need a lot of space for the switchbacks to work properly at a 28% gradient. For the driveway, you will likely have to build many retaining walls, which gets expensive and doesn’t look great. I’d rather invest that money in terracing medium-sized areas behind the house.
haydee schrieb:
You should think carefully about the garden—not just where to put plants, but about the spaces. The excavation and retaining walls must be done alongside the house construction. On such a steep site, the next 100 square meters quickly disappear. Even more important, everything behind the house must be completed beforehand. With a 15m (49 ft) wide lot, you only have a narrow clearance strip on each side, which becomes inaccessible later unless you lift the mini excavator over the house with a crane. By the way, the crane requirement is another strong reason not to move the house too far back.
The access path to the house will probably also need to be ready before moving in, as carrying furniture straight up the steep slope is not practical.
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