Hello everyone,
The house building process is slowly wearing on our nerves, and we haven’t even really started yet 🙁
We’ve been working on the floor plan for a year now, and it’s finally entering the final phase... Now comes the window discussion 🙁
Is it just as difficult for you, or is it only us?
It’s no longer enjoyable because everyone has a completely different idea, making even compromises hard to find. You can see that in our very long planning phase.
A few tips would be great 🙂
Thanks & good luck
milkie
The house building process is slowly wearing on our nerves, and we haven’t even really started yet 🙁
We’ve been working on the floor plan for a year now, and it’s finally entering the final phase... Now comes the window discussion 🙁
Is it just as difficult for you, or is it only us?
It’s no longer enjoyable because everyone has a completely different idea, making even compromises hard to find. You can see that in our very long planning phase.
A few tips would be great 🙂
Thanks & good luck
milkie
H
HilfeHilfe3 Feb 2014 08:29Honestly, I would go crazy too if it lasted a year!
How is it with other major life decisions like vacations, buying a car, or having children? Are those discussed as intensely as well? If so, the house situation doesn’t surprise me. You don’t even need to be a psychologist for that.
How is it with other major life decisions like vacations, buying a car, or having children? Are those discussed as intensely as well? If so, the house situation doesn’t surprise me. You don’t even need to be a psychologist for that.
milkie schrieb:
Is it really that unusual to need a whole year for a custom architectural design? The plot isn’t easy to build on, and we finally like the fourth draft, which suits both our needs... It’s just the windows that aren’t quite right.
We don’t want couples therapy ?? I just think there are other couples who don’t share the same visions either. We were only asking for some experience-based insights.
Where do you get the idea (are you a couples therapist?) that one year of planning isn’t a good basis?If you have a "problem" plot, you should definitely bring in a professional!
That way, there won’t be any disputes when an architect delivers a professionally well-thought-out design!
What exactly is the issue? U-value? Color? Dimensions? Parapet height? More or fewer windows? Single or double casement? Muntins? Shading?
My wife and I have completely different tastes.
She prefers a modern, minimalist style with large windows and simple furnishings.
I find that quite uncomfortable! I like a rustic look with lots of wood and some decorative details.
The house we found is somewhere in between, and we’re trying to combine our tastes.
For example, the living room doesn’t have many pieces of furniture or decorations, but it does have a cozy stove and a large sofa.
We both had to compromise, but it has worked out quite well.
Just keep working on it, you’ll manage!
She prefers a modern, minimalist style with large windows and simple furnishings.
I find that quite uncomfortable! I like a rustic look with lots of wood and some decorative details.
The house we found is somewhere in between, and we’re trying to combine our tastes.
For example, the living room doesn’t have many pieces of furniture or decorations, but it does have a cozy stove and a large sofa.
We both had to compromise, but it has worked out quite well.
Just keep working on it, you’ll manage!
Yes, it was or is about the window dimensions. But we have now probably found an interim solution – of course also for the sake of the partner.
We are willing to compromise, it’s just very exhausting. And it takes a bit longer. And no, apart from that we get along great and have long since been living in a rental building that, however, embodies exactly everything no one wants...
A professional is also involved in the planning, but it took four drafts before both of us were satisfied. That naturally also takes time. Surely there are couples who cheer "hooray" after the first draft; we are not among them. But there are certainly more couples who need longer. I can’t imagine we are a “rare exception,” especially since the architect said it can take up to 10 different drafts before the design is finalized.
The plot is flat but must be built without a basement due to the groundwater level. So replacement rooms needed to be included here from the start. Additionally, the plot is narrow but long, with the street on the south side. Because of the desired building orientation, two gardens are created, one on the south side and one on the north side. Both need to be connected to the living spaces.
Those were our requirements, and now our architect has managed it as well.
Well, it took a while, but now both of us are satisfied. Maybe another architect could have found the solution faster... who knows.
Well, if one wants lots of window areas and daylight strips, and the other prefers classic tall double casement windows, it naturally becomes even more difficult.
But as I said, we have also found a compromise here. Once the architect has finalized all the revisions, we can share the plans.
We are willing to compromise, it’s just very exhausting. And it takes a bit longer. And no, apart from that we get along great and have long since been living in a rental building that, however, embodies exactly everything no one wants...
A professional is also involved in the planning, but it took four drafts before both of us were satisfied. That naturally also takes time. Surely there are couples who cheer "hooray" after the first draft; we are not among them. But there are certainly more couples who need longer. I can’t imagine we are a “rare exception,” especially since the architect said it can take up to 10 different drafts before the design is finalized.
The plot is flat but must be built without a basement due to the groundwater level. So replacement rooms needed to be included here from the start. Additionally, the plot is narrow but long, with the street on the south side. Because of the desired building orientation, two gardens are created, one on the south side and one on the north side. Both need to be connected to the living spaces.
Those were our requirements, and now our architect has managed it as well.
Well, it took a while, but now both of us are satisfied. Maybe another architect could have found the solution faster... who knows.
Well, if one wants lots of window areas and daylight strips, and the other prefers classic tall double casement windows, it naturally becomes even more difficult.
But as I said, we have also found a compromise here. Once the architect has finalized all the revisions, we can share the plans.
P
perlenmann3 Feb 2014 10:49The key "art" in making compromises is to let the other person believe afterward that it was their idea 🙂
For example, we had different opinions about the swing direction of a door. Now my wife says it was her idea 😉
But it’s better to spend a little more time planning now than to be annoyed about something for decades later.
For example, we had different opinions about the swing direction of a door. Now my wife says it was her idea 😉
But it’s better to spend a little more time planning now than to be annoyed about something for decades later.
milkie schrieb:
Yes, it was/is about the window dimensions. But we have probably found an interim solution now – of course, also for the sake of the partner.Well... this is a classic case... only in post #16 is it finally mentioned what it’s actually about, but still not really clear. At this pace and level of openness (I’ll just assume that communication with the partner is similar 😉) it could still take you years.
Tip: Define the problem immediately – also with the partner – and provide examples, facts, and preferably an alternative or option right away… then problem-solving usually goes much faster 😀
What surprises me, though: if the architect is already involved, aren’t windows planned as well?! And here you’re stuck again and don’t even understand the problem. Because there are standards you should pay attention to – namely daylight requirements.
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