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
RoterPapagei25 Aug 2022 08:40WilderSueden schrieb:
You have a 28% slope. You want to create paths that descend only slightly along the slope. So you have to make the sides of the path steeper on the left and right. But then the additional steepness of the next switchback comes into play. Simply cutting into the slope becomes borderline quickly, both in terms of stability and maintenance.
Let’s get specific. You want to overcome 8 m (26 feet) of elevation in your original plan using switchbacks. At a 10% gradient (definitely not wheelchair accessible, but since you’re still young you can push a stroller uphill), you need 80 m (262 feet) of path length. You lose some space in the hairpin turns, so you need to go back and forth at least six times. Then at one hairpin turn, you have a good 2.5 m (8 feet) elevation difference to the next one directly above on the slope. This gets very steep if you just cut into the hill. Thanks for the detailed explanation. The neighbor just has a straight staircase. According to my preliminary calculations, it is definitely possible to reduce the gradient to below 9% using switchbacks. For example, if the house is positioned about 15 m (50 feet) horizontally from the road as a compromise, you would need to overcome approximately 4.5 m (15 feet) of elevation difference. At a 9% gradient, that would be less than 50 m (164 feet) of path length. I am aware of the disadvantages, but I see this as a practical solution. Alternatively, you could actually tunnel into the slope and install an elevator, though I assume that would cost between 50,000 and 100,000 euros.
R
RoterPapagei25 Aug 2022 09:15Are there any further comments on the floor plan? I would really appreciate it if you could break it down a bit. Why is the kitchen not usable? What are your thoughts on a straight staircase as shown here?
M
Myrna_Loy25 Aug 2022 09:28RoterPapagei schrieb:
Are there any comments on the floor plan? I would really appreciate it if you could break it down a bit. Why is the kitchen not usable? What do you think about a straight staircase as shown here? Your current plans are not viable at all. You should read up on the regulations regarding unplanned development areas and, for example, the obligation to integrate buildings into the existing environment. In our village, for instance, you are not allowed to build freely far from the street, even within a zoning area classified as type 34. The building height relative to the street is also regulated to prevent fortress-like structures. The building authority can regulate aspects such as the setback from the street, building height, and so on. You absolutely need an architect who either knows the local area well or you must submit a preliminary building enquiry (pre-application) to the planning authority.
RoterPapagei schrieb:
Are there any more comments on the floor plan? I would really appreciate it if you could break it down a bit. Why is the kitchen considered unusable? What do you think about a straight staircase as shown here? Hello. I don’t really see a clear floor plan here, and I can understand the recommendation to start from scratch. The open-plan area feels poorly planned and lacks zoning in my opinion. The kitchen is awkward, and the passageway to the pantry takes up the remaining space. The "cozy" seating area is very small, cramped, and doesn’t look comfortable. Whether you like the staircase is another question. I see a lot of narrow hallway space that feels uninviting. The basement level is not thought through at all.
R
RoterPapagei25 Aug 2022 09:38lastdrop schrieb:
I don’t see a kitchen. 230m² (2,475 sq ft) and the kitchen is only 9m² (97 sq ft)? There’s a lack of storage and workspace. Okay! That’s exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks!
Myrna_Loy schrieb:
Your current plans won’t work at all. You should read up on the regulations regarding unplanned inner development areas and, for example, the insertion requirement. In our village, for instance, you can’t build just any distance from the road, even within a type 34 building zone. The building height relative to the road is also regulated to prevent fortress-like structures. The building authority can regulate aspects like distance from the road, building height, etc. You absolutely need an architect who either knows the area well or you need to submit a preliminary building inquiry. The floor plan is clearly poor. Whether the plans are completely useless is debatable. The house can definitely be positioned at a medium elevation, the building authority has already been contacted. Neighboring houses are partially higher and some even taller.
cryptoki schrieb:
Hello. I don’t really see a proper floor plan here, and I can fully understand the recommendation to start from scratch. The open-plan area seems poorly thought out and zoned to me. The kitchen looks odd, and the passage to the pantry takes up the remaining space. The “cozy” seating area is tiny, cramped, and doesn’t look inviting, and the staircase is questionable. I also see a lot of narrow hallways that don’t feel welcoming. The basement level is not well designed at all. Great, thanks for the feedback! That’s exactly what I wanted!
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