ᐅ Single-family house floor plan on a sloped lot with terrace / roof terrace
Created on: 3 Oct 2022 23:49
E
einbecker
Hello!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Development Plan / Restrictions
NRW, development plan from 1964, few specifications (e.g., no height limits, no description of attic), maximum roof pitch 10 degrees
Plot size: 509 m² (5479 ft²)
Slope: Yes, sloping down from the street to the rear, about 2.5 m (8 ft) height difference, mostly level at the front
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: 0.7
Building envelope, building line and boundary: see site plan. Lower + upper rectangle with thick red frame: garden level including basement; upper rectangle only: full floor ground level (from street); garage to the right
Surrounding buildings: see site plan
Number of parking spaces: 1 garage (for bicycles), 1 parking space in front with charging station
Number of floors: 1 garden level + 1 full story (ground floor from street) + attic (according to 1962 building regulations – only 1/3 of the floor needs to have a clear height under 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in))
Roof type: gable roof with 10-degree pitch, photovoltaic panels
Architectural style: modern
Orientation: garden faces west
Maximum heights / limits: none
Additional requirements: none
The plot is completely on a slope, so there is also a view of the valley / trees / city from higher up
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: simple, modern single-family house, but not looking like a “new build block”
Basement, floors: three (garden/basement, ground floor, upper floor)
Number of people, ages: 4: 41, 40, 6, 3
Space requirements on ground floor: open living / dining / kitchen, storage room, guest WC
Space requirements on upper floor: office/guest room, guest WC, bathroom (with sauna), walk-in closet, master bedroom
Space requirements in basement: 2 children’s rooms, one office/guest room, HVAC room, utility room, cellar, children’s bathroom
Office: family use or home office? Both – we regularly work from home and have frequent phone calls
Number of overnight guests per year: parents/in-laws approx. 10 times per year for 3-4 days, other guests (mostly with children) approx. 10 times per year for 2-3 days
Open or closed architecture: semi-open
Conservative or modern construction: modern but warm
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen, half island coming from the wall near the terrace
Number of dining seats: table 90 cm x 200 cm (35 in x 79 in), usually 6 chairs, but also fits 10-12
Fireplace: yes, centrally located in the living/dining area
Music / stereo wall: minimal space, just a record player somewhere, no TV but retractable screen
Balcony, roof terrace: balcony-like terrace on ground floor (due to approx. 2.5 m (8 ft) drop to garden), outdoor stairs to roof terrace
Garage, carport: one garage for bicycles, one parking space with first meter of garage roofed, including electric vehicle charging
Utility garden, greenhouse: no, at most vegetables / herbs
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons for preferences or exclusions
House Design
Designer: architect, but drawing signed off by me because the last plan needs several changes that are not yet incorporated (I would appreciate feedback)
What do you like most? Why?
- Entrance: spacious, with a clear view through the house right away
- Living room: lots of outside brought inside, terrace allows for plenty of outdoor living
- Upper floor: wellness oasis with roof terrace (and the ability to access roof terrace comfortably outdoors on all sides)
What do you dislike? Why?
- Possibly a long corridor in the basement?
- Possibly room layout on upper floor, in particular the master bedroom
- Possibly space for furniture in living room
Cost estimate by architect/planner: not yet discussed
Personal price limit for house including fittings: 1–1.2 million EUR
Preferred heating technology: heat pump
If you had to give up certain details or extensions
- What could you do without? Outdoor stairs?
- What is indispensable?
Why is the design the way it is? Multiple rounds with architect – development plan restricts strongly. With a relatively small plot, we wanted to keep as much garden space as possible.
Which requests were implemented by the architect? One linden tree will be preserved, the area in front of the house and on the front left will be built up, followed by an earth ramp leading down into the garden from the left side.
What do you think makes it particularly good or bad?
What is the main / fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters? Answer: Do you have improvement suggestions? What do you like, what should we reconsider? What costs a lot, what can be saved?
Thanks for honest feedback and apologies for the images – they come directly from my lightweight CAD tool...
Thank you for your help – I’m looking forward to your input!
Thanks and best regards,
Tobias
Site plan
Upper floor
Ground floor
Basement
Thank you in advance for your support!
Development Plan / Restrictions
NRW, development plan from 1964, few specifications (e.g., no height limits, no description of attic), maximum roof pitch 10 degrees
Plot size: 509 m² (5479 ft²)
Slope: Yes, sloping down from the street to the rear, about 2.5 m (8 ft) height difference, mostly level at the front
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: 0.7
Building envelope, building line and boundary: see site plan. Lower + upper rectangle with thick red frame: garden level including basement; upper rectangle only: full floor ground level (from street); garage to the right
Surrounding buildings: see site plan
Number of parking spaces: 1 garage (for bicycles), 1 parking space in front with charging station
Number of floors: 1 garden level + 1 full story (ground floor from street) + attic (according to 1962 building regulations – only 1/3 of the floor needs to have a clear height under 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in))
Roof type: gable roof with 10-degree pitch, photovoltaic panels
Architectural style: modern
Orientation: garden faces west
Maximum heights / limits: none
Additional requirements: none
The plot is completely on a slope, so there is also a view of the valley / trees / city from higher up
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: simple, modern single-family house, but not looking like a “new build block”
Basement, floors: three (garden/basement, ground floor, upper floor)
Number of people, ages: 4: 41, 40, 6, 3
Space requirements on ground floor: open living / dining / kitchen, storage room, guest WC
Space requirements on upper floor: office/guest room, guest WC, bathroom (with sauna), walk-in closet, master bedroom
Space requirements in basement: 2 children’s rooms, one office/guest room, HVAC room, utility room, cellar, children’s bathroom
Office: family use or home office? Both – we regularly work from home and have frequent phone calls
Number of overnight guests per year: parents/in-laws approx. 10 times per year for 3-4 days, other guests (mostly with children) approx. 10 times per year for 2-3 days
Open or closed architecture: semi-open
Conservative or modern construction: modern but warm
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen, half island coming from the wall near the terrace
Number of dining seats: table 90 cm x 200 cm (35 in x 79 in), usually 6 chairs, but also fits 10-12
Fireplace: yes, centrally located in the living/dining area
Music / stereo wall: minimal space, just a record player somewhere, no TV but retractable screen
Balcony, roof terrace: balcony-like terrace on ground floor (due to approx. 2.5 m (8 ft) drop to garden), outdoor stairs to roof terrace
Garage, carport: one garage for bicycles, one parking space with first meter of garage roofed, including electric vehicle charging
Utility garden, greenhouse: no, at most vegetables / herbs
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons for preferences or exclusions
House Design
Designer: architect, but drawing signed off by me because the last plan needs several changes that are not yet incorporated (I would appreciate feedback)
What do you like most? Why?
- Entrance: spacious, with a clear view through the house right away
- Living room: lots of outside brought inside, terrace allows for plenty of outdoor living
- Upper floor: wellness oasis with roof terrace (and the ability to access roof terrace comfortably outdoors on all sides)
What do you dislike? Why?
- Possibly a long corridor in the basement?
- Possibly room layout on upper floor, in particular the master bedroom
- Possibly space for furniture in living room
Cost estimate by architect/planner: not yet discussed
Personal price limit for house including fittings: 1–1.2 million EUR
Preferred heating technology: heat pump
If you had to give up certain details or extensions
- What could you do without? Outdoor stairs?
- What is indispensable?
Why is the design the way it is? Multiple rounds with architect – development plan restricts strongly. With a relatively small plot, we wanted to keep as much garden space as possible.
Which requests were implemented by the architect? One linden tree will be preserved, the area in front of the house and on the front left will be built up, followed by an earth ramp leading down into the garden from the left side.
What do you think makes it particularly good or bad?
What is the main / fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters? Answer: Do you have improvement suggestions? What do you like, what should we reconsider? What costs a lot, what can be saved?
Thanks for honest feedback and apologies for the images – they come directly from my lightweight CAD tool...
Thank you for your help – I’m looking forward to your input!
Thanks and best regards,
Tobias
Site plan
Upper floor
Ground floor
Basement
Yes, the wonderful view is often overrated, and the use of the garden is frequently underestimated. In my opinion, a roof terrace becomes completely unnecessary—no one wants to be bored up there. For that reason, I would move all living spaces down one floor and reserve the attic for the children. But we've discussed this here many times already. Homeowners moving out of their apartment often feel they absolutely must “take” their beloved roof terrace with them. However, a house is not an apartment—views aside. Summer life mostly happens in the garden. Even in winter, you want short distances for building a snowman and feeding the birds.
K a t j a schrieb:
Yes, the great view is often overrated and the use of the garden underestimated. I would really be interested in the sources behind this statement. For me, the view is also very important. Of course, I want short access routes to the garden as well. But in my priorities, the view clearly comes before the paths leading outside.
If you consider how many days per year are spent outside versus inside, I would argue that this is the more sensible decision.
PhiIipp schrieb:
But with my priorities, the view clearly comes after the paths leading outside. Let’s just say: Priority 1 is the path...
PhiIipp schrieb:
If you consider how many days per year people actually spend outside, Anyone with a garden and no gardener spends almost every day outside.
It’s about maintenance, production, and actively enjoying the space, not just about looking at it.
Life isn’t lived by watching, but by doing and engaging in activities 🙂
Of course, there are other people who stand inside with their arms crossed, looking out the window... and prefer to watch the people outside.
PhiIipp schrieb:
If you consider how many days a year you actually spend outdoors versus indoors, I would argue that this is also the more practical choice. And how much real time do you actually spend indoors just appreciating the view? Don’t you mostly live inside? Cleaning, cooking, laughing, playing, sleeping, washing, and so on?
But if every item on the terrace or in the garden requires long walks back and forth, you’ll definitely get frustrated sometimes 😉. Also, one doesn’t exclude the other—you can try to organize cooking and dining close to the garden while still creating a nice spot with a view for a relaxing corner.
PhiIipp schrieb:
I would really be interested in the sources for that statement.I don’t need to conduct a statistical survey for that. The time people spend actively looking outside from their apartment is negligible. Except maybe for those over 70 who already rely on walking aids or wheelchairs. PhiIipp schrieb:
The view is very important to me as well. Of course, I also want short access routes to the garden. But in my priorities, the view clearly comes before the paths to the outside.Oh, really? How long have you been staring into space today? A minute or two? Only when guests come over do they say “oh” and “ah.” The homeowner is pleased and feels they did everything right. But once the guests leave, the view quickly becomes unimportant again. Eventually, you have to admit that it would be nice to step from the kitchen onto the lawn more quickly.The problem is that the view is used up after looking at it three times. But the garden wants to be discovered, explored, and above all maintained every day. Life on the roof terrace is almost always a leftover habit from apartment living days, when there was no garden yet.
But of course, we don’t want to force anyone into their happiness here. 😉
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