ᐅ Site usage for semi-detached houses or duplex units

Staggering and windows become difficult if the project is to result in two “true” semi-detached houses, meaning with a fire separation wall. As far as I know, minimum distances for windows apply in this case. If it is set up as a multi-family house with a partition declaration, it might work.

P.S. If it’s about evening sun, why not shift the right half to the north? This would allow the terrace to receive the evening sun. The possible window on the south side, facing the street, would most likely serve secondary rooms.

mwinkelm schrieb:




What do you think? Do you have any other ideas for a layout that provides good natural light on both sides? I believe it’s not possible to illuminate both sides equally due to the houses being built against each other.

I appreciate that you’re putting a lot of thought into this. Often, homeowners tend to underestimate the importance of sunlight if it doesn’t fit with garage plans or similar considerations.

I would probably consider something along these lines:

As you can see, I completely removed the garages. They block the sunlight – so they have to go. Each house has two parking spaces – that should be enough. In the middle, back-to-back, I placed a bike shed with some storage. Whether the houses should have exactly this format is another question. But in any case, I would arrange the layout so that the living areas are still lit from the south through the kitchen. When planning the building width, you should also consider the neighbors’ garages. A garden shed goes to the other end of the plot, which I haven’t included here.

Whether this would be permitted, I’m not sure, since the houses on the left side of the plan are almost in a straight line, and a sort of building line on the opposite side is also observed. However, your immediate neighbor on the right deviates considerably from that, so I would first claim the same rights.

mwinkelm schrieb:

Do you have any other ideas for a version that provides good lighting for both sides?

Not from me personally, but I linked you a handful right away in post #8.

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RomeoZwo schrieb:

Offsetting and windows become difficult if there are supposed to be two "true" semi-detached houses, meaning with a fire separation wall. To my knowledge, minimum distances from windows apply in that case. If the whole building is designed as a multi-family house with a declaration of division, it might work.

Yes, good point. It is not intended to be a multi-family house.

RomeoZwo schrieb:

P.S. If it’s about the evening sun, why not shift the right half to the north? That would result in evening sun on the terrace. The possible window on the south side, meaning facing the street, would most likely only serve secondary rooms.

Yes, I thought that at first as well, but then the south side would get somewhat darker in the afternoon because of the left half. That’s why I rotated the entire layout in version 3.

kaho674 schrieb:

I find it very commendable that you’re putting so much thought into this.

As you might be able to tell, I took the pinned guide from @ypg regarding sun position quite literally. I consider that a factor not to be underestimated, and the approach is well explained.

kaho674 schrieb:

I would probably think along these lines.

That’s a great new perspective, thank you very much for your effort! Forgoing garages would definitely suit our budget well. We’ll have to carefully consider whether we can do without them. In principle, the garages would “only” block light in the basement/lower ground floor, where in our half only a study is planned as an important room, which will probably have a window facing the street.

The consequence of your suggestion is that we would build a little further into the slope than I had previously considered. That means somewhat more earthworks to create a level surface for the terrace behind the house. I’m thinking this through as I write…

11ant schrieb:

Not me personally, but I linked you to a handful in post #8 right away.

Your reference to related topics was great and led me to a thread that ultimately inspired version 4. All these threads are excellent reading for floor plan development before you even pick up a pencil. I’m still reading a lot because I’m sure I haven’t found everything that fits our case yet.

kaho674 schrieb:

However, I’m not sure if that would be allowed, since the houses on the left side of the plan are almost aligned and there’s also a sort of building line being observed opposite.

I could imagine that it would generally be acceptable to position the house where the neighbor on the right started building his granny flat. That was his way to extend his house, which is basically built on the basement level, further back. Unfortunately, getting information from the city is difficult because the building department is severely understaffed and has a considerable backlog. We are actually hoping that the architect involved later will be able to roughly assess what is allowed and will be approved in this area. The possible roof pitch and knee wall height are also unclear to us.

A question about your version: Wouldn't the long sloped ceilings on the sleeping floor cause problems and reduce usable space? (Assuming the ridge runs parallel to the street)

mwinkelm schrieb:

We actually hope that the architect involved later can roughly assess what is allowed and what will be approved in this setting. The possible roof pitch and knee wall height are just as unclear to us.

There is a rumor that several users in this forum might be able to read zoning plans.

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