ᐅ Floor plan single-family house approximately 160 m², main entrance in the basement, north-facing slope, plot size 1700 m²

Created on: 25 Jul 2024 07:06

Hello fellow home builders,

We have been reading this forum for several weeks now. We are still in the research phase and have decided to build a solid masonry house. We have already reserved a plot of land. This plot has a significant slope, which we plan to level by landscaping the terrain. Any excess excavated soil will likely be easy to get rid of. So far, we have not involved an architect because the costs and the uncertainty of the outcome have deterred us. Therefore, we are doing a lot of research ourselves and are making intensive use of the information in this forum.

We believe we have found a suitable solution for our single-family house. The structural engineer/architect from our general contractor (GC) implemented our ideas and wishes but offered hardly any of their own suggestions or improvements. As laypeople, it is difficult for us to judge whether we have truly achieved the best possible result.

We would now like to draw on your experience and expertise and look forward to your honest opinions and possible improvement suggestions.

Zoning Plan / Restrictions

Plot size:	1700m² (18,300 sq ft)
Slope:	9m (30 ft) north-facing slope over 50m (165 ft) length
Other:	No zoning plan, §34 (local building regulations)

Clients’ Requirements

Style, roof type, building type:	Single-family house, gable roof
Basement, number of floors:	Basement, 1 ½ floors
Number of occupants, age:	2 adults around 30 years old + 2 children (0 and 2 years), planning for 3–4 children total
Space needed on ground floor and upper floor:	Approximately 70m² (750 sq ft) each
Office:	For family use and home office
Guest stays per year:	Relatives staying 30–50 nights
Open or closed architecture:	Open
Conservative or modern construction:	Modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island:	Open with kitchen island
Number of dining seats:	8
Fireplace:	Yes
Music/stereo wall:	No
Balcony, roof terrace:	No
Garage, carport:	Garage in basement (for stroller, bicycles, etc.), carport for car
Utility garden, greenhouse:	Utility garden, possibly a natural stone seating area with fire pit

Additional wishes/special features/daily routine, also reasons why some things should or should not be included

For us, the kitchen/dining area is the central hub, even when guests are present. The living room should be relatively private.
The children’s rooms do not need to be very large. The parents’ bedroom is the least important room for us.

House Design

Who designed the plan:	Planner from a construction company
What do you particularly like? Why?	Option for a terrace on the east, south, or as an L shape on both sides of the house Four bedrooms on the upper floor and generally the layout of the upper floor appeals to us The office on the ground floor can be used as a bedroom in case of mobility impairment (possibly a stairlift to the basement needed)
What do you dislike? Why?	Wasted space in the upper left area between kitchen and dining area Technical room too large? No pantry near the kitchen No sightline from the ground floor hallway niche to the main entrance to better integrate arriving guests into the living area
Cost estimate according to architect/designer:	540K (excluding photovoltaic system and fireplace)
Personal price limit for the house, including features:	550K with photovoltaic system and fireplace
Preferred heating technology:	Heat pump (geothermal)

If you have to cut back, on which details or extras

Can be omitted: Fireplace, garage in the basement
Cannot be omitted: Spacious kitchen/dining area, office on the ground floor

Why has the design ended up like this?

Standard design from the planner?

Second iteration, with smaller floor area to reduce costs

Which wishes were implemented by the architect?

Open staircase with landing stairs
House entrance in the basement
Southeast terrace
Kitchen not visible from the living room
Three children’s rooms + two offices/guest rooms

What do you think makes it particularly good or bad?

We like the open and integrated staircase and the entrance in the basement because it keeps the ground floor hallway free for living space
Very flexible room usage possible due to similar room sizes

Location plan of a plot with house, carport, terrace and north arrow

Topographic plot plan with boundary lines, elevation data, and house location

Upper floor plan with bedroom, office, two children’s rooms, bathroom, and hallway.

Ground floor plan with kitchen, hallway, living, working, and shower/WC.

Basement floor plan: guest room, cellar 1, heated cellar 2, lobby, garage with car.

hanghaus202329 Jul 2024 11:09

#19

To stay within the budget more easily, the design excludes a basement. I assumed an 18% slope.

Lageplan: Haus mit Terrasse, Regenrückhaltebecken, blaue Bauteile (CP 7,5×6 m).

Diagramm mit blauem Liniendiagramm und gestapelten Balken in drei Gruppen, zunehmende Höhe

ypg29 Jul 2024 21:52

#20

Boman19 schrieb:

9m (29.5 feet) north-facing slope over 50m (164 feet) length

hanghaus2023 schrieb:

In the photo, it doesn't look that steep at all.

Hmm... Isn't it actually more like the steepest parts are at the front and very back, and in the middle it's just about 2 meters (6.5 feet) rise over 30 meters (98 feet) of plot depth?

Boman1919 Jan 2025 11:36

#21

Thank you again for your feedback.
Here is a brief update:

The notarized appointment for the land purchase will take place in a few days.

We have commissioned the site and elevation survey to prepare for further planning. Details will follow.

The driveway cannot be constructed as originally planned due to existing water pipes. Instead, it will be located in the northeast of the property.

We have also hired an architect and are currently still in the initial phase of defining our goals.

hanghaus202320 Jan 2025 19:09

#22

Then let’s wait for the site plan with the actual elevations. Please include the water pipe in the drawing.

Boman1910 Sep 2025 23:06

#23

Hello everyone,
here is a brief update from us (compared to the many progress steps and setbacks we have already experienced).

Attached is a rough sketch showing the planned terrain modifications and an initial draft.
The attic floor still corresponds to the mirrored version from an earlier stage – we have no change requests for this.
The facade, furnishings, garage size, and detailed features on the property have not yet been considered.
What we like:

In the basement: the spacious cloakroom and the practical subdivision of the living spaces.
On the ground floor: that the utility room could be accommodated and that the kitchen might be separable.
The stairwell and hallway are the perfect balance of separation and everyday usability for us.

One slight drawback:
The living/dining area does not seem particularly large for our family of 5 to 7 people – this is something we are still concerned about.

As always, we look forward to your feedback, tips, and any warnings about possible pitfalls!

Lageplan eines Gartens mit Terrassen, Böschungen, Mauer und Zaun

2D-Hausgrundriss mit Zimmern, Türen und Maßlinien in Rot und Blau.

2D Grundrissplan eines Hauses mit Wohnzimmer, Küche, Terrasse und Treppe.

2D-Hausgrundriss mit Zimmern, Türen und Fenstern in roter Umrandung

Topografischer Baugrundriss mit Geländekonturen, Grundstücksgrenzen und Baufläche.

hanghaus202311 Sep 2025 06:30

#24

Please provide the cross-sections of the site.

ᐅ Floor plan single-family house approximately 160 m², main entrance in the basement, north-facing slope, plot size 1700 m²

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