In the short term, we have the option to design the outdoor area, specifically the driveway and carport.
We want to use as little concrete paving as possible, ideally none at all—maybe only under the carport.
The area is quite large and would probably look too smooth and too concrete-heavy.
We are considering options like gravel or crushed stone with or without a stabilizing grid, or paving only a single driving lane. However, we haven’t found the perfect solution yet.
On the plan, I have marked the narrow driveway, which then curves to the left and defines the back part of the carport, as a storage room will be located underneath there. Furthermore, the parking or usage area along the right gable side should only extend halfway along the house, because beyond that there are large windows, and we prefer to look out onto the greenery rather than a parked car.
Any suggestions are welcome, and then we will see if and how our contractor can implement them.
In general, we like the idea of a kind of bound gravel surface, known here as a “Saxon bound surface,” essentially a large area covered with gravel or crushed stone, but arranged in a practical way suitable for walking on and for occasional driving over once a day.
The property is almost flat, with only a slight incline of 20cm (8 inches) in the driveway.
By the way: I am happy to offer courses on my PC drawing skills upon request 🙂
We want to use as little concrete paving as possible, ideally none at all—maybe only under the carport.
The area is quite large and would probably look too smooth and too concrete-heavy.
We are considering options like gravel or crushed stone with or without a stabilizing grid, or paving only a single driving lane. However, we haven’t found the perfect solution yet.
On the plan, I have marked the narrow driveway, which then curves to the left and defines the back part of the carport, as a storage room will be located underneath there. Furthermore, the parking or usage area along the right gable side should only extend halfway along the house, because beyond that there are large windows, and we prefer to look out onto the greenery rather than a parked car.
Any suggestions are welcome, and then we will see if and how our contractor can implement them.
In general, we like the idea of a kind of bound gravel surface, known here as a “Saxon bound surface,” essentially a large area covered with gravel or crushed stone, but arranged in a practical way suitable for walking on and for occasional driving over once a day.
The property is almost flat, with only a slight incline of 20cm (8 inches) in the driveway.
By the way: I am happy to offer courses on my PC drawing skills upon request 🙂
pagoni2020 schrieb:
Maybe I expressed or presented it awkwardly, so here’s another drawing with the two parking options: a) in the carport and b) next to the house. This is the area that needs to be developed. Both locations are next to the house. So which one is a) and which is b)?
Some things can’t be properly carried out afterwards if they are not planned from the beginning.
Why, for example, have two separate parking areas? That automatically creates unnecessary paved surface in front of the house.
Are you then driving behind a fence along your house to get to the parking space? And then having to reverse out about 20m (65 feet)? 🙄
But the question here is only about how you should design this driveway without paving over everything.
H
hampshire14 Nov 2021 13:21How frequently is each parking space used? If the single parking spot is for an infrequently used recreational vehicle, I can imagine placing two driving lanes on a grass area. You would drive in and out a few times with the vehicle, then mark the lanes, and you’re good to go.
P
pagoni202014 Nov 2021 15:30driver55 schrieb:
Both locations are next to the house. So what exactly is a) / b)? a = Carport = at the main entrance
b = Open area = gable side
I thought I had already explained that, at least...
driver55 schrieb:
Some things can no longer be properly executed afterward if they are not planned from the start. Some things, yes. But it always depends on what you consider "proper," which is often subjective.
For us, the house is, in my opinion, optimally oriented to enjoy the view of the greenery. I wouldn’t change a centimeter of my living space just to have a parking spot. Regarding cars and related matters, our attitude is rather unconventional. One main reason for the carport was also to shield the side facing our very nice neighbor, which he appreciates. So we have a lot with three green sides, and the front of the house has almost no windows.
driver55 schrieb:
Why, for example, two separate parking areas? Why not?
I am flexible enough to use the carport as advertising space, a party room, storage for trailers or firewood, etc. I don’t mind changing its use contrary to the original meaning of the word. Honestly, my laziness will probably decide when and where I park. We have more space than we need, so it’s not a problem. Maybe parking area b) will also become the space for a table tennis table or something else. That was NOT planned... it will evolve. Some might find that chaotic or worrying, but for us, it’s fun to find a useful purpose for it.
As I said: the car is usually parked way in the back.
driver55 schrieb:
That automatically creates unnecessarily a lot of sealed surface in front of the house. That’s exactly what I wrote I do NOT want. No concrete, really none, no sealed surfaces!
driver55 schrieb:
Do you then drive behind a fence along your house to get to the parking space? I think this has been explained multiple times and clearly. But if I want, I can drive all the way around; also a nice idea for the grandchildren with their pedal car.
driver55 schrieb:
And then have to reverse out about 20 m (65 feet)? Does everyone have a house where they can always drive out forward? I haven’t really paid attention. I look out and see that everyone drives in forwards and reverses out. I don’t see the problem. Maybe I park on the street, where there is plenty of space. Honestly, I don’t care much since I only use my car about once a week, sometimes not for three months when I’m away.
Let’s just say the two areas will probably be used multifunctionally. We’ll see how it turns out.
H
hampshire14 Nov 2021 15:48pagoni2020 schrieb:
I wouldn’t change a single centimeter of my living space for a parking space. Thumbs up for that from a car enthusiast who now considers himself “disciplinedly unreasonable” when it comes to his own vehicles.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
I don’t see the problem. If you don’t make a problem out of it, there isn’t one (as is often the case).
pagoni2020 schrieb:
also a nice idea for the grandkids with the pedal car.very, very important, a track around the house for the grandkids to race on, in summer it was still 2, but next year there will already be 4.Fortunately, the trend probably won’t continue 😎
P
pagoni202014 Nov 2021 20:15hampshire schrieb:
Thumbs up from a car enthusiast who now considers themselves “reasonably unreasonable” when it comes to their own vehicles. I know many people who enjoy nice cars and are happy to spend money on them. I can really understand that... after all, we were all young once 😱 but with a limited budget, I needed (or need) to prioritize, and when it came to cars, that was the easiest choice for me because I’ve already indulged myself a bit in life.
A very important lesson came from my time in South America, where there were only a few car models and trims available, and it was all about function. So, I was proud of my bright red, dented Toyota Hilux with four different tires and all sorts of makeshift parts because the concept or quality of a “professional workshop” didn’t really exist.
Repairs, including on the gas water heater, always cost around 20-30 euros, with the first two repairs usually being useless, but the third one brought partial success that was manageable.
What was really nice was that a scratch in the paint didn’t bother me, the garage wouldn’t even have known what I wanted or would have only made things worse, and there was no modern onboard system where you could write off 1,000–2,000 euros just because a warning light flashes once. It only cost a maximum of 30 euros the first time. I also didn’t receive any registration letters for 1.5 years... and I didn’t even have a mailbox... wonderful.
I try to at least somewhat keep this relaxed attitude towards cars for myself here, which is why I always have only an old car, unfortunately with less affordable repairs.
Because of that, I struggle with the concept of being “reasonable” in this context, or I just live unreasonably. Unlike before, I just can’t understand how people in the neighborhood here have an expensive fleet but would never spend money on a nice picture or a nice lamp. Our focus is definitely on the car, and you notice that most clearly when you leave the country for a while.
That said, I can understand it, just like when someone buys an expensive watch or something else. My last watch was given to me for my First Communion 😀 and yet I live quite decently.
We could have easily installed a turntable, for example, but that still wouldn’t even cross my mind.
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