ᐅ Initial floor plan draft on graph paper: hillside, basement, plus two stories.

Created on: 2 Jan 2021 13:09
M
majuhenema
Disclaimer:
After a long search, we have finally found a plot of land. It is not easy to build on because of a steep slope, but it also has a unique appeal since the north and south sides are undeveloped and should remain so at least in the medium term (both adjacent plots belong to the neighbors uphill). Additionally, we have views of the river and the vineyards beyond to the north, east, and southeast. Therefore, we plan to build two floors above the basement, to reach higher elevation and to have ground-level access to the garden from the first floor.

The shown design is our “dream concept.” We noted our spatial ideas and wishes and sketched them on graph paper. Each square corresponds to 1 meter (3 feet). Our budget excluding the land and landscaping is set at 500,000 euros.

Zoning and Restrictions
Plot size: 682 sqm (approximately 7,338 sq ft)
Slope: Yes, about 6 m (20 feet) downhill from west to east
Gap in an old residential area, no formal zoning plan available, similar houses already built

Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building category: open, modern, clearly structured, roof form depending on practicality (height, appearance, photovoltaic panels)
Basement, floors: Basement/entrance level + 2 upper floors
Number of occupants: 2 adults, both 31 years old, no children yet, 2 children’s rooms planned
Space requirements:
Basement: entrance area, office, garage, storage room, technical room
1st floor: living room, dining area, kitchen, utility room, guest toilet, pantry
2nd floor: 2 children’s bedrooms, children’s bathroom, master bathroom, master bedroom, walk-in closet
Occasional guest sleeping: 4 per year (sofa bed in office or utility room)
Open or closed architecture: open
Conservative or modern building style: modern
Open kitchen with island: open, large + island
Seating capacity for dining table: large table (2.40 m x 1 m (8 ft x 3 ft)), seats 6–8 people
Fireplace: optional (not planned due to cost-benefit consideration)
Music/stereo wall: turntable in living/dining area
Balcony, roof terrace: balcony on the east side on the 2nd floor would be great for the location and views
Garage, carport: double garage in the basement, 2 parking spaces in front

Additional wishes/special features/daily routine:
The north and south sides of the plot will remain undeveloped in the short and medium term. To the east is a quiet street (cul-de-sac, with 3 houses beyond us). From north through east to south, there is a river view, so we would like to have access to at least a narrow balcony on the 1st and 2nd floors in those directions. The garden is planned on the south side of the property.
The cooking, dining, and living areas should be as spacious and bright as possible. The other rooms should be practical.

House Design
Who designed it: clients themselves – do-it-yourself
What do you like most? And why?
Clear layout, large living area, children’s bathroom included
What do you dislike? And why?
Staircase preference is a half-landing staircase, but it would be too large for the current plan
Price estimation?

Personal price limit for the house including fixtures and fittings: 500,000 euros excluding landscaping, preferably through a general contractor
Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump

If you have to compromise, on which details or features
-can you give up:
fireplace, possibly the balcony on the 2nd floor (reluctantly), smaller living/dining area
-can you not give up:
children’s bathroom, open and spacious design, office, utility room

Why has the design developed the way it is?
The design is based on the spatial concept and orientation on the plot. The house should be placed as far northeast as possible to maximize garden space on the south and west sides.
Note: The basement’s red-shaded area is planned so the house does not appear like a tower. The basement is designed to be wider for aesthetic reasons. Additionally, the basement ceiling is planned to project about 2 m (6.5 ft) to create a canopy and serve as a terrace for the 1st floor.

What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
1. Is the floor plan suitable as a planning basis for builders/architects?
2. What works well/less well/not at all?

Floor plan: street at bottom, two parcels, undeveloped sides, measurements in meters


Floor plan: entrance, office, underground garage, cloakroom/storage, garage.


Hand-drawn floor plan of a room with kitchen, pantry, dining table/seating area.


Floor plan of an apartment: kitchen, bathroom, dressing room, living room, two children’s bedrooms, balcony.


Hand-drawn floor plan sketch of a house with entrance, garage, office and cloakroom


Two floor plans: left 112 sqm kitchen/living room; right 85 sqm with two children’s bedrooms.
M
majuhenema
6 Jan 2021 18:17
Haydee and hampshire! Thank you.

We want to create a small grassy slope on the north side (that is, to the right of the house) to allow access to the garden with a wheelbarrow, etc., and on the south side (near the terrace) a staircase entrance. We would like someone to design the staircase beautifully. We had actually considered a plot located on the edge of town, which bordered a country lane on two sides, and as a nature enthusiast, I do miss that a bit. Therefore, I want as much garden and greenery as possible.

I will take your feedback on the rooms and let it sink in for now.

Since none of you have so far rejected the dream or the budget, it may be best to wait for the providers' discussions based on the plans and budget.
H
hampshire
6 Jan 2021 18:25
By the way, do you have a well-coordinated team of an architect, civil engineer, and carpenter locally? I would also contact them. Start your research with the carpentry company; you can begin by thoroughly googling everything.
M
majuhenema
6 Jan 2021 18:30
We have scheduled initial meetings with five companies.
We selected them based on their reputation (discussions with other homeowners), their proximity (between 25 and 90 kilometers or 15 and 56 miles by road), and their size, ranging from small to large. However, all of them are general contractors.
H
haydee
6 Jan 2021 18:45
Don’t you have direct access from the living area to the garden without stairs?
M
majuhenema
6 Jan 2021 18:50
Yes! We are planning a floor-to-ceiling window in the hallway between the guest toilet and the living room, so that we and our guests have a short route from the terrace to the bathroom.
Additionally, a sliding door will be installed on the east side at the level of the kitchen/dining/living area, allowing easy access to bring items outside from there.
M
majuhenema
6 Jan 2021 19:24
hampshire schrieb:

When partitions in the living area reach up to the ceiling, the space can feel very tight. A lot of unused area is created at floor level.

Just the tip alone was already very valuable. We reviewed the area in the plan and then measured it again here in the apartment. We will revise the plan once more and I will scan it afterwards.
Does it make a difference in terms of living comfort or cost whether a room-dividing wall reaches the ceiling or if there is a gap at the top?