ᐅ Floor plan: Single-family house approximately 170 m² plus a secondary dwelling unit (e.g., in-law suite or granny flat) of about 75 m² in planning
Created on: 7 Oct 2025 22:13
S
SaschaG.
Hello everyone,
My family and I are currently planning our new home and would like to share our current floor plan draft with you.
We are still in the planning phase and welcome honest, constructive feedback – critical comments, suggestions for room layout, or hints on anything we might have overlooked are very much appreciated.
Our goal is a family-friendly, sustainable house with a separate apartment for the parents-in-law, one that suits us long-term and is highly energy-efficient.
Thank you in advance for your assessments and suggestions!
Framework Conditions
Development plan / restrictions:
Section 34 of the Federal Building Code (no classic development plan; neighborhood development is decisive).
Single-family houses with gable or hipped roofs are permitted (currently clarifying if a hipped roof is allowed).
Plot size:
Approx. 1,000 m² (2,710 sq ft) (parcel 440/8).
Slope:
Slight southern slope, elevation difference approx. 0.8 m (2.6 ft).
Planned building height approx. 0.5 m (1.6 ft) above street level (similar to the neighbor). The rest of the garden shall be as level as possible by adding fill.
Site coverage ratio:
Not explicitly specified, compliant with Section 34 – adapted to neighboring buildings (approx. 0.35 realistic).
Floor area ratio (FAR):
Also Section 34-compliant, oriented on neighboring houses with two full stories.
Boundary setbacks:
Distances according to the State Building Code of Baden-Württemberg, minimum 3 m (10 ft). Garage on the boundary allowed.
Number of parking spaces:
2 car parking spaces + double garage (6 × 6 m (20 × 20 ft)) + optional adjacent extension (3 × 3 m (10 × 10 ft)) for bicycles/workshop.
Number of stories:
Ground floor + upper floor (apartment integrated on the ground floor, separate entrance).
Roof style:
Preferred hipped roof. Clarification still pending – hipped roofs exist in the wider area; immediate neighbors currently only have gable roofs.
Architectural style:
Modern interpretation of a classic single-family house – clean lines, warm appearance, plaster facade with wood/stone accents on the upper floor.
Orientation:
Living area facing south/southwest, main terrace facing the garden (south side).
Maximum heights / limits:
Neighboring houses approx. 7.5 – 8.5 m (25 – 28 ft) ridge height → to be aligned accordingly.
Additional requirements:
KfW 40+ standard (aiming for a self-sufficient house).
Owners’ Requirements
Style / roof type / building type:
Single-family house with a separate apartment, hipped or shallow gable roof, modern architecture with a family-friendly character.
Basement / stories:
No basement (due to cost reasons) ☹, two full stories.
Number of occupants / age:
4 persons (parents, 2 children – ages 1 and 5) + 2 persons in the apartment (parents-in-law, 60+).
Room requirements on the ground floor:
Room requirements on the upper floor:
Office:
Intended for regular home office use.
Overnight guests per year:
Approximately 2–4 visits.
Architecture:
Open, bright rooms with large windows; focus on family life.
Construction method:
Modern prefabricated construction (timber frame, e.g. Kampa).
Kitchen / dining area:
Open kitchen with island, at least 6 dining seats.
Fireplace:
Would be nice but currently not feasible cost-wise.
Music / TV / multimedia:
TV wall in the living area.
Balcony / roof terrace:
Possibly a small balcony facing south (still open, cost issue – possibly just reserved for now).
Garage / carport:
Double garage with sectional door + technical module (workshop/bicycles).
Utility garden / greenhouse:
No concrete plans yet.
Other wishes / special features / daily routine:
House Design
Designed by:
In-house planning with support from the builder regarding legal requirements.
What do you like most? Why?
What do you dislike? Why?
Cost estimate according to the builder:
Approx. €800,000 (house including apartment, turnkey, excluding exterior landscaping).
Personal price limit for house including fittings:
Approx. €700,000.
Preferred heating technology:
Air-to-water heat pump with photovoltaic system, battery storage, and heat recovery (energy package), underfloor heating.
If you had to give up …
Could you do without:
Can’t do without:
Why is the design the way it is?
Many ideas come from catalog homes by Kampa and Luxhaus, supplemented by our own adaptations.
Originally the design was much more elaborate – including more exterior accents (e.g. bay window in the dining room, larger ground floor footprint).
After the initial cost estimate, we simplified the concept to a simple, square floor plan to reach a feasible price range. Now we are waiting for a more precise cost estimate.
Special features:
Conclusion
We really appreciate your feedback – on both functional points (traffic flow, proportions, room sizes, etc.) and design aspects.
Every comment helps us tailor the house even better to our needs.
Thank you in advance for your time and advice!
Best regards,
Sascha & family
My family and I are currently planning our new home and would like to share our current floor plan draft with you.
We are still in the planning phase and welcome honest, constructive feedback – critical comments, suggestions for room layout, or hints on anything we might have overlooked are very much appreciated.
Our goal is a family-friendly, sustainable house with a separate apartment for the parents-in-law, one that suits us long-term and is highly energy-efficient.
Thank you in advance for your assessments and suggestions!
Framework Conditions
Development plan / restrictions:
Section 34 of the Federal Building Code (no classic development plan; neighborhood development is decisive).
Single-family houses with gable or hipped roofs are permitted (currently clarifying if a hipped roof is allowed).
Plot size:
Approx. 1,000 m² (2,710 sq ft) (parcel 440/8).
Slope:
Slight southern slope, elevation difference approx. 0.8 m (2.6 ft).
Planned building height approx. 0.5 m (1.6 ft) above street level (similar to the neighbor). The rest of the garden shall be as level as possible by adding fill.
Site coverage ratio:
Not explicitly specified, compliant with Section 34 – adapted to neighboring buildings (approx. 0.35 realistic).
Floor area ratio (FAR):
Also Section 34-compliant, oriented on neighboring houses with two full stories.
Boundary setbacks:
Distances according to the State Building Code of Baden-Württemberg, minimum 3 m (10 ft). Garage on the boundary allowed.
Number of parking spaces:
2 car parking spaces + double garage (6 × 6 m (20 × 20 ft)) + optional adjacent extension (3 × 3 m (10 × 10 ft)) for bicycles/workshop.
Number of stories:
Ground floor + upper floor (apartment integrated on the ground floor, separate entrance).
Roof style:
Preferred hipped roof. Clarification still pending – hipped roofs exist in the wider area; immediate neighbors currently only have gable roofs.
Architectural style:
Modern interpretation of a classic single-family house – clean lines, warm appearance, plaster facade with wood/stone accents on the upper floor.
Orientation:
Living area facing south/southwest, main terrace facing the garden (south side).
Maximum heights / limits:
Neighboring houses approx. 7.5 – 8.5 m (25 – 28 ft) ridge height → to be aligned accordingly.
Additional requirements:
KfW 40+ standard (aiming for a self-sufficient house).
Owners’ Requirements
Style / roof type / building type:
Single-family house with a separate apartment, hipped or shallow gable roof, modern architecture with a family-friendly character.
Basement / stories:
No basement (due to cost reasons) ☹, two full stories.
Number of occupants / age:
4 persons (parents, 2 children – ages 1 and 5) + 2 persons in the apartment (parents-in-law, 60+).
Room requirements on the ground floor:
- Open living/dining area with direct access to the terrace
- Kitchen with island, pantry (planned as garage extension)
- Guest toilet
- Utility room + technical room
- Apartment approx. 75 m² (807 sq ft) (living/dining area, bedroom, bathroom, storage room, office/guest room)
Room requirements on the upper floor:
- Parents’ bedroom with walk-in closet
- 2 children’s rooms
- Bathroom with shower and bathtub
- Second bathroom with shower
- 2 offices (home offices) – alternatively one could be on the ground floor
Office:
Intended for regular home office use.
Overnight guests per year:
Approximately 2–4 visits.
Architecture:
Open, bright rooms with large windows; focus on family life.
Construction method:
Modern prefabricated construction (timber frame, e.g. Kampa).
Kitchen / dining area:
Open kitchen with island, at least 6 dining seats.
Fireplace:
Would be nice but currently not feasible cost-wise.
Music / TV / multimedia:
TV wall in the living area.
Balcony / roof terrace:
Possibly a small balcony facing south (still open, cost issue – possibly just reserved for now).
Garage / carport:
Double garage with sectional door + technical module (workshop/bicycles).
Utility garden / greenhouse:
No concrete plans yet.
Other wishes / special features / daily routine:
- Parents work a lot from home
- Apartment should be accessible and autonomous
- Large, protected garden area as a shared meeting place
House Design
Designed by:
In-house planning with support from the builder regarding legal requirements.
What do you like most? Why?
- Open, bright living area with nice southwest orientation
- Separation of family and apartment areas without losing overall aesthetic
- Functional floor plan with clear traffic routes and large window fronts
What do you dislike? Why?
- Some room sizes and window arrangements still don’t feel quite right
- Ground floor sometimes feels a bit tight
- No more space for a pantry in the main house, therefore planned in the garage extension
- Upper floor corridor might be a bit long
- Kitchen possibly too open to the living area, too close to the dining area.
Cost estimate according to the builder:
Approx. €800,000 (house including apartment, turnkey, excluding exterior landscaping).
Personal price limit for house including fittings:
Approx. €700,000.
Preferred heating technology:
Air-to-water heat pump with photovoltaic system, battery storage, and heat recovery (energy package), underfloor heating.
If you had to give up …
Could you do without:
- Balcony
- Second shower bathroom on the upper floor
- Basement (already excluded in the planning)
- Straight staircase
Can’t do without:
- Separate apartment
- Open living/dining area with plenty of light
- Sufficient storage space (utility room, pantry, storage rooms) – since no basement
- 2 children’s rooms
Why is the design the way it is?
Many ideas come from catalog homes by Kampa and Luxhaus, supplemented by our own adaptations.
Originally the design was much more elaborate – including more exterior accents (e.g. bay window in the dining room, larger ground floor footprint).
After the initial cost estimate, we simplified the concept to a simple, square floor plan to reach a feasible price range. Now we are waiting for a more precise cost estimate.
Special features:
- Accessible integrated apartment
- Energy-efficient overall concept
- Modern yet cozy design
Conclusion
We really appreciate your feedback – on both functional points (traffic flow, proportions, room sizes, etc.) and design aspects.
Every comment helps us tailor the house even better to our needs.
Thank you in advance for your time and advice!
Best regards,
Sascha & family
H
hanghaus20238 Oct 2025 08:45Is there a design ordinance from the municipality? Otherwise, Section 34 does not specify a roof shape.
Oh dear, if the costs are already over budget by 100,000, you should aim to save around 150,000. It usually ends up being more expensive than stated in the quote.
YPG has already written something about the granny flat. Consider how accessible you want it to be. The bathroom only works, among other things, as long as both people can walk without assistance.
I also support reducing the size of the driveway.
Overall, both units just seem randomly combined. I find the passage through the utility area practical. This way, you can access the other area without compromising privacy, but you still don’t enter the bathroom. The kids dash through there when they want to quickly visit grandma.
The dining area in your apartment is too narrow; maybe a beer bench would fit. The minimum width should be 1m (3.3 ft) + table width + 1m (3.3 ft), and even that is really tight.
Go back to the drawing board. Define your must-have requirements and your nice-to-have features again. Remove everything that isn’t essential, draw your current and desired furniture to scale, and move things around. Try to reduce the size and untangle the layout like a game of Tetris.
YPG has already written something about the granny flat. Consider how accessible you want it to be. The bathroom only works, among other things, as long as both people can walk without assistance.
I also support reducing the size of the driveway.
Overall, both units just seem randomly combined. I find the passage through the utility area practical. This way, you can access the other area without compromising privacy, but you still don’t enter the bathroom. The kids dash through there when they want to quickly visit grandma.
The dining area in your apartment is too narrow; maybe a beer bench would fit. The minimum width should be 1m (3.3 ft) + table width + 1m (3.3 ft), and even that is really tight.
Go back to the drawing board. Define your must-have requirements and your nice-to-have features again. Remove everything that isn’t essential, draw your current and desired furniture to scale, and move things around. Try to reduce the size and untangle the layout like a game of Tetris.
I visited here yesterday and, considering the drawings were, to put it kindly, the opposite of self-explanatory, I thought I should check back today. That was probably a bit too soon.
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haydee schrieb:
The bathroom only works as long as both can walk without assistance. Not really. When someone is getting ready at the washbasin, there’s no way to get to the toilet. Nobody likes being disturbed while washing, applying makeup, or doing their hair. People over 60 aren’t any different.
haydee schrieb:
That way, you can access the other area without compromising privacy. Well, one could sneak over to the parents’ and “borrow” some eggs. The kids can play pranks. The curious elderly father might inspect all rooms when no one is home. People don’t always remember to lock interior doors.
SaschaG. schrieb:
That’s a door in the utility room to allow access from the granny flat as well, since the parents-in-law would also use it as a laundry or utility area. Since a flat needs a storage room anyway, and a 9sqm (97 sq ft) utility/technical room is not very large, it probably can’t accommodate two doors plus a window. It might be better to keep the washing machine inside the flat after all.
hanghaus2023 schrieb:
If the builder is already €100,000 over budget, what’s the point in discussing the floor plan at all? Start over smaller. You’re probably right. Hallways should be drastically reduced, and the upper floor should have proper, regular rooms without extra corners. The kids’ bathroom and second office need reconsideration. So far, it looks like a playful “this-is-how-our-house-could-look” concept rather than a realistic plan. Some room sizes, including the pantry, are clearly too large.
At €3,000/sqm (approximately $280/sq ft), about 30sqm (320 sq ft) of space is wasted upstairs—space that realistically isn’t needed, unless you want a corridor with the feel of a castle. But a castle-sized home is not an option here.
SaschaG. schrieb:
Personal price limit for the house including fixtures:
About €700,000. That’s a problem! As already mentioned, living space costs money. While 75sqm (810 sq ft) might be an attractive size, it won’t come under €200,000. Also, if you want individuality in the house shape and concept, you won’t get €3,000 but more like €3,300 to €3,500/sqm ($310 to $325/sq ft).
A standard house model, more like a production house, would be more affordable. With about 160sqm (1,720 sq ft) plus 75sqm (810 sq ft), you could likely stay within €700,000—excluding additional building costs and a double garage.
Furthermore, I would suggest planning for more privacy in the garden, even if it’s meant as a social space. Relatives don’t necessarily share the same interests after work and often have their own social circles.
You don’t need separate entrances for that: paved surfaces are expensive, and having to walk constantly around the house (granny flat) can be tiring. Long paths should always be avoided.
That’s why I would first use templates to outline the property. For example like this, or something similar—you need to compare this with standard house types:
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If you don’t want to give up a compact layout and want to save costs here, the living area upstairs must be reduced decisively. Over the decades, a gable roof on a single-story has proven successful. As far as I know, paragraph 34 does not restrict such a design. But I do see a problem in your planning regarding vehicle turning space. Well, this is just a quick and rough sketch anyway.
@ypg One should have some trust and respect in a project like this. I have also lived with my parents under the same roof. We were downstairs and they were upstairs. You don't just walk into each other's rooms like that. With the technical area acting as a buffer zone, you don't hear every word from the other apartment—that's what I meant.
SaschaG. schrieb:
Preferred heating technology:
Air-to-water heat pump with photovoltaic system, battery storage, and heat recovery (Kampa energy package), underfloor heating.So you’re planning to build a Kampa house? They typically cost around €3500 per square meter (approximately $375 per square foot). If you only have €700,000 available for the house itself (with additional construction-related costs covered separately), you can expect about 200 square meters (2150 square feet) of living space.Similar topics