Hello!
Apparently, our floor plan, as we originally wanted it, is causing some practical issues.
We are planning a prefab house (9.42 x 9.42 meters (31 x 31 feet)) with a gable roof, knee wall height 1.60 meters (5 ft 3 in), and roof pitch of 25 degrees. At our request, the entrance is planned on the eaves side on the north.
We are actually happy with the ground floor. Our main priorities on the ground floor were an open living-dining area, a guest/workroom, and a guest toilet with shower. The utility room has a window that is located under the carport.
Now about the upper floor, which I like but is causing problems:
1. The door of the north-facing children's room opens against the window. Should it open into the room? Or open outward into the hallway, like the bedroom door is planned (why is it like that there…)?
2. The window in the master bedroom on the upper floor (south side) is planned without a roller blind. This is because a distance of 2.05 meters (6 ft 9 in) to the side wall with the roof slope must be maintained for a roller blind. In the current plan (open walk-in closet) the window could still be moved slightly. However, I wanted to close off the wall to the walk-in closet so that it is accessible from the hallway. According to my calculations, to fit the window there, the walk-in closet would have to be reduced by about 70 cm (28 inches), which is hardly possible.
Do you have any ideas for redesigns that could help us here?
Apparently, our floor plan, as we originally wanted it, is causing some practical issues.
We are planning a prefab house (9.42 x 9.42 meters (31 x 31 feet)) with a gable roof, knee wall height 1.60 meters (5 ft 3 in), and roof pitch of 25 degrees. At our request, the entrance is planned on the eaves side on the north.
We are actually happy with the ground floor. Our main priorities on the ground floor were an open living-dining area, a guest/workroom, and a guest toilet with shower. The utility room has a window that is located under the carport.
Now about the upper floor, which I like but is causing problems:
1. The door of the north-facing children's room opens against the window. Should it open into the room? Or open outward into the hallway, like the bedroom door is planned (why is it like that there…)?
2. The window in the master bedroom on the upper floor (south side) is planned without a roller blind. This is because a distance of 2.05 meters (6 ft 9 in) to the side wall with the roof slope must be maintained for a roller blind. In the current plan (open walk-in closet) the window could still be moved slightly. However, I wanted to close off the wall to the walk-in closet so that it is accessible from the hallway. According to my calculations, to fit the window there, the walk-in closet would have to be reduced by about 70 cm (28 inches), which is hardly possible.
Do you have any ideas for redesigns that could help us here?
L
LuiseRadiese22 Sep 2020 07:53Apparently, I lack the intelligence to implement your numerous suggestions.
I have read that I cannot plan a gable roof house based on a townhouse design. But I haven’t done that, because it was offered exactly like that.
What I take away: a townhouse would be a solution.
I also take away: it would be nicer to swap the north-facing children’s room with the south-facing bedroom. This was actually the most useful advice I’ve received so far.
I have read: the house is too small. Therefore, this floor plan differentiation is not possible. There is also not enough storage space. What am I supposed to do with that? Unfortunately, we haven’t won the lottery yet.
Apparently, my plot is not ideal either, because something is being filled in that we don’t know what it is. Hallelujah!
What I had hoped for were concrete suggestions like: the gallery on the upper floor is a huge waste of your square meters. Or: have you considered a different staircase? With the straight staircase, the floor plan is too limited. Or: maybe the walk-in closet could be next to the bathroom to rearrange the rooms differently. No idea. Practical advice instead of “everything sucks, it’s obvious you have no clue.”
I don’t think I will get any further here. I’m not one millimeter closer to a concrete solution. I haven’t even found a starting point. But thanks to you, I have the feeling it’s probably better to give up, because it won’t look nice anyway: too small, too cramped, too dark, and just badly planned overall.
I have read that I cannot plan a gable roof house based on a townhouse design. But I haven’t done that, because it was offered exactly like that.
What I take away: a townhouse would be a solution.
I also take away: it would be nicer to swap the north-facing children’s room with the south-facing bedroom. This was actually the most useful advice I’ve received so far.
I have read: the house is too small. Therefore, this floor plan differentiation is not possible. There is also not enough storage space. What am I supposed to do with that? Unfortunately, we haven’t won the lottery yet.
Apparently, my plot is not ideal either, because something is being filled in that we don’t know what it is. Hallelujah!
What I had hoped for were concrete suggestions like: the gallery on the upper floor is a huge waste of your square meters. Or: have you considered a different staircase? With the straight staircase, the floor plan is too limited. Or: maybe the walk-in closet could be next to the bathroom to rearrange the rooms differently. No idea. Practical advice instead of “everything sucks, it’s obvious you have no clue.”
I don’t think I will get any further here. I’m not one millimeter closer to a concrete solution. I haven’t even found a starting point. But thanks to you, I have the feeling it’s probably better to give up, because it won’t look nice anyway: too small, too cramped, too dark, and just badly planned overall.
L
LuiseRadiese22 Sep 2020 08:05Muc1985 schrieb:
How long have you been planning? The plot was purchased last autumn, and in December 2019 we had the consultation and floor plan design with the prefab home company. We’ve had two appointments with the architect this August/September, which is when the issue with the roller shutters came up. At no point was it suggested that the floor plan was generally unsuitable or that it was one for an urban villa.
The building permit / planning permission application is scheduled to be submitted this month, so the foundation slab can be poured in spring 2021. By the way, the financing is also arranged; otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to buy the plot.
LuiseRadiese schrieb:
[...] An urban villa, just like a basement for additional storage space, would simply have cost another 30,000 euros. And with an investment of just under half a million, the budget eventually runs out. [...]
[...] I’m not any closer to a solution, but definitely more confused and demotivated. [...]Your "solution" refers to specific questions about a floor plan, but users here want to point out that it might be too early for a floor plan discussion because certain issues regarding the plot of land need to be clarified first. A floor plan rarely works properly without taking the plot into account. (I hesitate to say never, because there supposedly are these flat 1,500m² (16,000 ft²) plots where basically anything can be built.)
For example, the basement you mentioned: if you actually have 3 meters (10 ft) of fill and this isn’t compensated by the developer of the subdivision, your basement could be built "above ground." This means no costs for excavation and lower costs for later fill because less soil needs to be brought in, which can easily save around 30,000 euros. (Although 30,000 euros for a basement is already very inexpensive.) Also, with many providers there is little to no price difference between an urban villa and a pitched roof design. You mention 30,000 euros—this figure probably comes from the general contractor. Are you tied to Bien-Zenker? (Because the developer of the subdivision might have specified this.)
Ok, here are a few tips:
- Read through other floor plan threads in this forum. This way, you can learn a lot about common mistakes. You can also look at other floor plans to see if you like any of them. There are many floor plans available online as well. Your requirements are nothing unusual.
- Clarify the issue of the building plot’s slope.
- The general opinion here: bedrooms should face north, children’s rooms should face towards natural light.
- A straight staircase takes up a lot of space; a spiral or curved staircase is more space-efficient.
- Do you need a walk-in closet, meaning do you have different preferences? Otherwise, I would eliminate it and use the space as a storage room or utility room. Doing laundry where it’s generated is very practical.
- Kitchen: Plan it at least roughly before submitting the building permit / planning permission to avoid unpleasant surprises later, such as missing a few centimeters (inches).
- For four people sharing one bathroom, I recommend a double vanity.
- I don’t like the layout of the living area; I find it inconveniently shaped: the kitchen is rather small, while space between the stairs and external wall is wasted. The right side designated for the sofa is difficult to furnish.
- Read through other floor plan threads in this forum. This way, you can learn a lot about common mistakes. You can also look at other floor plans to see if you like any of them. There are many floor plans available online as well. Your requirements are nothing unusual.
- Clarify the issue of the building plot’s slope.
- The general opinion here: bedrooms should face north, children’s rooms should face towards natural light.
- A straight staircase takes up a lot of space; a spiral or curved staircase is more space-efficient.
- Do you need a walk-in closet, meaning do you have different preferences? Otherwise, I would eliminate it and use the space as a storage room or utility room. Doing laundry where it’s generated is very practical.
- Kitchen: Plan it at least roughly before submitting the building permit / planning permission to avoid unpleasant surprises later, such as missing a few centimeters (inches).
- For four people sharing one bathroom, I recommend a double vanity.
- I don’t like the layout of the living area; I find it inconveniently shaped: the kitchen is rather small, while space between the stairs and external wall is wasted. The right side designated for the sofa is difficult to furnish.
Even though our project is quite different from yours, we had countless appointments, meetings, and conversations with the architect. It took us eight months to submit the building permit application. After seven months of waiting and many more appointments, the application was approved. Even now, after 17 months, changes are still being made during the detailed planning phase.
What I want to say is that, for you too, this matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved in just the few appointments you have had so far. Many more discussions will be necessary.
What I want to say is that, for you too, this matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved in just the few appointments you have had so far. Many more discussions will be necessary.
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