ᐅ House without a garage and basement? Converting the attic? Vent pipe?

Created on: 24 Jun 2015 19:59
G
Grym
We have been considering the following:

If we want to build without a basement and without a garage, preferably with just a carport, does it make sense – and what would the cost difference be – to convert the attic instead?

We plan to build a structure approximately 10.50 meters x 8.50 meters (34.4 ft x 27.9 ft) along the street. On top, a gable roof with a 45-degree pitch (alternatively: only 40 degrees), and the knee wall on the first floor should be about 1.40 meters (4.6 ft) high. At the highest point, the interior height would probably be around 2.80 meters (9.2 ft).

Instead of insulating the top floor ceiling, we would insulate the roof. For cost reasons, the top floor ceiling would remain a wooden beam construction (I assume?). The attic would be an unheated secondary space but equipped with at least one ventilation opening.

The staircase up to the attic should be reasonably comfortable. What is the cost of a standard residential staircase? We might simply extend the living area staircase to the attic if the additional cost is not too high.

In the medium term, we want a wood-and-metal design carport for two cars next to the house, with bike racks in the rear area (which in my opinion looks much better than a concrete and steel garage box). The bikes would be weather-protected but quickly accessible. Necessary garden tools will be stored in the utility room; unnecessary items, seasonal goods, heirlooms, etc., will go into the attic (within the thermal envelope and ventilated by a controlled residential ventilation system). Likewise, winter storage of the garden chairs would be in the attic; in summer, they will remain outside permanently.

It is also unclear whether and what kind of equipment could be located in the utility room (ground or air source heat pump, controlled residential ventilation system, hot water hygiene storage tank, etc.).

Another question is what the cost impact would be for this kind of attic conversion (planned from the start and carried out by the general contractor) compared to the standard option (insulating the top floor ceiling, insulated pull-down stairs to the unheated attic space).
G
Grym
21 Jul 2015 23:29
So, a bit more optimized now. The square floor plan simply came about, meaning it will have a hip roof and two full stories. I know a gallery at the top of the stairs could have been an option, but does it really add value? So far, all the house providers we've talked to have said that while a gallery looks nice in a show home, when it comes to practical use of space, it's better to close it off.



Floor plan of a building with living room, dining area, office, staircase, WC, utility/technical room.



Floor plan of a house: two children’s rooms, bedroom, bathroom, hallway, walk-in closet, and furniture.
Kisska8622 Jul 2015 07:31
A square house, a straight staircase, and efficient use of living space fundamentally contradict each other... You sure are a very stubborn person.
If you like the floor plan, then just keep it as it is! You probably don’t want to hear anything else anyway.
G
Grym
22 Jul 2015 07:35
Yes, I want to hear specifically where the problems are. If I didn’t want to listen, I would have just taken the first floor plan and been done with it.

A straight staircase won’t fit in a 9x9-meter (30x30-foot) house, but this one is actually 10x10 meters (33x33 feet).
Kisska8622 Jul 2015 07:37
Every architect would tell you that a straight staircase doesn’t really fit well into a square house, at least not if you want to use the space as efficiently as possible! A straight staircase creates hallways that are far too large!
G
Grym
22 Jul 2015 07:54
We would like the living room, dining area, and kitchen arranged at a corner, as well as two other large rooms (utility room and office) on the ground floor. There will essentially be hallways.

It’s not just a long hallway without purpose. Along it are arranged: a wardrobe, the door to the utility room, and the door to the kitchen.
Kisska8622 Jul 2015 08:07
You see, you’re just justifying your own design anyway...