ᐅ General Floor Plan Discussion / Situation of the Staircase to the Attic / Dormers
Created on: 25 Mar 2026 13:35
P
phibe1005
Hello everyone,
based on a user’s suggestion, I would like to share our current planning status. We are currently struggling with the situation regarding the dormers and the staircase to the attic. But first, here are all the key details according to the questionnaire.
Development plan / restrictions
Lower Saxony, Emsland district
approximately 342.2 sqm (3,683 sq ft)
no slope on the site
approximately 130 sqm (1,399 sq ft) of living space
two full floors plus attic
terrace house construction, therefore direct building boundary alignment
1 parking space under the carport, one in front of the carport
gable roof with a 45-degree pitch
orientation according to plan
eaves height 6 - 6.5 m (20 - 21 feet)
floor height 10 m (33 feet)
top edge of the finished floor level of the ground floor at a height of at least 20.00 m above sea level (NHN)
Owners’ requirements
terrace house
about 130 sqm (1,399 sq ft)
open-plan living-dining area with kitchen, one office/guest room, master bedroom, one child’s room, utility room, guest toilet without shower
family with one child, a second child planned for the future
if the second child is born, we would partially convert the attic to create an additional room
occasional overnight guests (sofa bed in the office)
open kitchen
number of dining seats: 6
no fireplace
no music or stereo wall
no balcony or roof terrace
carport
House design
Who designed the plan:
- planner from a regional builder who delivers turnkey homes
What do you particularly like? Why?
--> The plot / terrace house development does not allow for too much flexibility. The house’s shape is therefore simple, which we like. We want about 130 sqm (1,399 sq ft) of living space. That was the requirement.
What do you not like? Why?
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 385,000 based on the standard construction description with fully finished attic (which is not planned for now, but nevertheless included in the price), EXCLUDING carport, exterior landscaping, painting, flooring, kitchen, photovoltaic system, and controlled mechanical ventilation
We don’t like the two dormers. They are currently necessary due to the height situation of the staircase.
Also, it does not have to be a full concrete staircase. We would like to use the attic for a second child’s room or an office in the future. Otherwise, it should serve as storage space. Therefore, we can imagine a space-saving staircase. However, we are missing ideas on how to solve this.
Budget expectations: We want to save as much as possible.
preferred heating system: air-source heat pump with underfloor heating
If you have to give up something, which details/extensions
- can you give up: full staircase to the attic
- cannot give up: conversion option for the attic
Thank you very much for your feedback and ideas on how to improve the situation for the staircase access to the attic.
based on a user’s suggestion, I would like to share our current planning status. We are currently struggling with the situation regarding the dormers and the staircase to the attic. But first, here are all the key details according to the questionnaire.
Development plan / restrictions
Lower Saxony, Emsland district
approximately 342.2 sqm (3,683 sq ft)
no slope on the site
approximately 130 sqm (1,399 sq ft) of living space
two full floors plus attic
terrace house construction, therefore direct building boundary alignment
1 parking space under the carport, one in front of the carport
gable roof with a 45-degree pitch
orientation according to plan
eaves height 6 - 6.5 m (20 - 21 feet)
floor height 10 m (33 feet)
top edge of the finished floor level of the ground floor at a height of at least 20.00 m above sea level (NHN)
Owners’ requirements
terrace house
about 130 sqm (1,399 sq ft)
open-plan living-dining area with kitchen, one office/guest room, master bedroom, one child’s room, utility room, guest toilet without shower
family with one child, a second child planned for the future
if the second child is born, we would partially convert the attic to create an additional room
occasional overnight guests (sofa bed in the office)
open kitchen
number of dining seats: 6
no fireplace
no music or stereo wall
no balcony or roof terrace
carport
House design
Who designed the plan:
- planner from a regional builder who delivers turnkey homes
What do you particularly like? Why?
--> The plot / terrace house development does not allow for too much flexibility. The house’s shape is therefore simple, which we like. We want about 130 sqm (1,399 sq ft) of living space. That was the requirement.
What do you not like? Why?
Price estimate according to architect/planner: 385,000 based on the standard construction description with fully finished attic (which is not planned for now, but nevertheless included in the price), EXCLUDING carport, exterior landscaping, painting, flooring, kitchen, photovoltaic system, and controlled mechanical ventilation
We don’t like the two dormers. They are currently necessary due to the height situation of the staircase.
Also, it does not have to be a full concrete staircase. We would like to use the attic for a second child’s room or an office in the future. Otherwise, it should serve as storage space. Therefore, we can imagine a space-saving staircase. However, we are missing ideas on how to solve this.
Budget expectations: We want to save as much as possible.
preferred heating system: air-source heat pump with underfloor heating
If you have to give up something, which details/extensions
- can you give up: full staircase to the attic
- cannot give up: conversion option for the attic
Thank you very much for your feedback and ideas on how to improve the situation for the staircase access to the attic.
-Malte- schrieb:
I wouldn't overemphasize the repeatedly discussed topic of "walls being too thick." 49cm (19 inches) is quite common when we talk about a two-shell solid masonry wall. Here in West Münsterland, that is the absolute standard—just drive through any existing or new housing development and you'll see this type of masonry about 95% of the time. It’s probably cheaper here as well to build monolithically or with external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS / external wall insulation), but in my opinion, it doesn’t make as much of a difference as in other regions of Germany. Four-brick-thick exterior walls are unnecessary and, just as elsewhere, they cost about five square meters (54 square feet) of wall area for NOTHING in the moderate house size usually desired here in the Münsterland—simply because it’s fashionable and not questioned?
Thicker exterior walls also mean deeper window reveals: regardless of which plane the windows sit in, this always reduces the amount of natural light coming in.
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