Hello everyone,
A few weeks ago, I shared our self-drawn floor plan ideas here. After receiving many helpful suggestions from you, we now have the preliminary drafts from the architect, which I would like to present for further discussion.
It is a two-family house, with one living unit on the ground floor (for my parents, later for rental) and the upper floors for us. The house will have a flat roof. The somewhat unconventional layout of the upper apartment (common living areas on the upper level, quiet rooms below) is intentional and what we want.
I look forward to your comments.
Thank you, Jim
A few weeks ago, I shared our self-drawn floor plan ideas here. After receiving many helpful suggestions from you, we now have the preliminary drafts from the architect, which I would like to present for further discussion.
It is a two-family house, with one living unit on the ground floor (for my parents, later for rental) and the upper floors for us. The house will have a flat roof. The somewhat unconventional layout of the upper apartment (common living areas on the upper level, quiet rooms below) is intentional and what we want.
I look forward to your comments.
Thank you, Jim
H
Hans Max Wurth22 Nov 2013 16:00Hello Jim,
the room sizes seem somewhat cramped to me. This especially applies to the entrance area on the ground floor and the hallway on the upper floor. If possible, I would suggest having fewer but larger rooms here. In my opinion, the angled wall wastes too much valuable living space. I would arrange the beds so that the head is near an interior wall. Exterior walls are generally cooler than the room air, making them less comfortable.
I hope I was able to provide some helpful suggestions.
Best regards,
Hans Max Wurth
the room sizes seem somewhat cramped to me. This especially applies to the entrance area on the ground floor and the hallway on the upper floor. If possible, I would suggest having fewer but larger rooms here. In my opinion, the angled wall wastes too much valuable living space. I would arrange the beds so that the head is near an interior wall. Exterior walls are generally cooler than the room air, making them less comfortable.
I hope I was able to provide some helpful suggestions.
Best regards,
Hans Max Wurth
Many thanks for your helpful responses!
@ypg: I understand your arguments against the north-facing loggia. It would really be an impractical decision. The temptation is strong because our neighbors to the north are quite far away. However, I also see that given the living situation on the second upper floor (OG2), a pantry makes sense. Although I am still not entirely sure whether a solution with tall cabinets or shelves, possibly with a sliding door, might be just as good as a built-in pantry.
@HMW: Good point about the beds; we hadn’t considered that. We will take another close look at the situation on the first upper floor (OG1). The downside of all the more spacious alternative solutions so far has been that visitors always have to pass directly by the bedrooms on the way to OG2. Adding an extra wall or door automatically makes the space feel tighter. I’m afraid both cannot be achieved at the same time and that it comes down to priorities.
@kaho674/HMW: I sketched an alternative for the ground floor entrance and kitchen layout. Here, there would be more space in the kitchen. The entrance would be kept open and might therefore feel less cramped (even though it is technically smaller). Also, because you wouldn’t have to pass by the wardrobe. Better?
@ypg: I understand your arguments against the north-facing loggia. It would really be an impractical decision. The temptation is strong because our neighbors to the north are quite far away. However, I also see that given the living situation on the second upper floor (OG2), a pantry makes sense. Although I am still not entirely sure whether a solution with tall cabinets or shelves, possibly with a sliding door, might be just as good as a built-in pantry.
@HMW: Good point about the beds; we hadn’t considered that. We will take another close look at the situation on the first upper floor (OG1). The downside of all the more spacious alternative solutions so far has been that visitors always have to pass directly by the bedrooms on the way to OG2. Adding an extra wall or door automatically makes the space feel tighter. I’m afraid both cannot be achieved at the same time and that it comes down to priorities.
@kaho674/HMW: I sketched an alternative for the ground floor entrance and kitchen layout. Here, there would be more space in the kitchen. The entrance would be kept open and might therefore feel less cramped (even though it is technically smaller). Also, because you wouldn’t have to pass by the wardrobe. Better?
The apartment downstairs is intended for the older generation – that’s how I understand it!
The ground floor entrance option is better. Now, remove the partition wall (it’s unnecessary and intrusive) from the living area, plan a built-in wardrobe, and that should be enough. Then focus on accessibility: 150 cm (59 inches) width in the kitchen, so remove the upper cabinets or use narrow cupboards, consider the door width, and so on. The bedroom remains a challenge. Based on experience, older people prefer not to deal with clutter and have different priorities, so a simple L-shaped kitchen should be sufficient.
The ground floor entrance option is better. Now, remove the partition wall (it’s unnecessary and intrusive) from the living area, plan a built-in wardrobe, and that should be enough. Then focus on accessibility: 150 cm (59 inches) width in the kitchen, so remove the upper cabinets or use narrow cupboards, consider the door width, and so on. The bedroom remains a challenge. Based on experience, older people prefer not to deal with clutter and have different priorities, so a simple L-shaped kitchen should be sufficient.
Hi Jim,
sorry, but I still feel the whole layout seems rather fragmented. Does the slant in the living room really have to be there? I can’t quite figure out the north-south orientation. That makes it difficult to give advice. Just a thought on the room arrangement here (you can figure out the window positions on your own):
Advantages:
- Proper hallway with space for a coat closet possible
- Utility room / pantry for the washing machine still possible
- Kitchen of a comfortable size and layout
- Living room is quieter – good for retreat
- If south is “downstairs,” a terrace along the entire length is possible
Disadvantages:
- If south is on the left side, the south-facing utility room is wasted space
- Larger footprint – more expensive because of the corner lost
- Hallway is dark – might bring in light from the entrance (glass panel in the door with a bright stairwell)?
sorry, but I still feel the whole layout seems rather fragmented. Does the slant in the living room really have to be there? I can’t quite figure out the north-south orientation. That makes it difficult to give advice. Just a thought on the room arrangement here (you can figure out the window positions on your own):
Advantages:
- Proper hallway with space for a coat closet possible
- Utility room / pantry for the washing machine still possible
- Kitchen of a comfortable size and layout
- Living room is quieter – good for retreat
- If south is “downstairs,” a terrace along the entire length is possible
Disadvantages:
- If south is on the left side, the south-facing utility room is wasted space
- Larger footprint – more expensive because of the corner lost
- Hallway is dark – might bring in light from the entrance (glass panel in the door with a bright stairwell)?
Here I am again,
I was just thinking: logically, you could leave out the hallway wall to the bedrooms, as long as the structural engineering allows it. This would give more flexibility for the bathroom size and could even make a bathtub possible.
I’ve placed some furniture to help visualize it:
Maybe someone has a nicer idea for the bathroom layout—I’m always completely out of ideas there.
I was just thinking: logically, you could leave out the hallway wall to the bedrooms, as long as the structural engineering allows it. This would give more flexibility for the bathroom size and could even make a bathtub possible.
I’ve placed some furniture to help visualize it:
Maybe someone has a nicer idea for the bathroom layout—I’m always completely out of ideas there.
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