ᐅ Local architect as an alternative to the builder’s architect

Hi everyone,

Based on recommendations from this forum, we would like to hire a local architect to plan our detached single-family house in the Hochtanus district, Hesse.

We have filled out the questionnaire as much as possible.

Could you give us advice on how to find a suitable architect for our project locally?


Development plan/restrictions
Plot size: 520 sqm (approximately 15x35 m (49x115 ft); 15 m (49 ft) is the side facing the street) Orientation looking at the property from the street: southeast
Slope: No
Site occupancy index: 0.3
Floor space index: 0.6
Building line and building boundary: 5 meters (16 ft) setback from the street, then approx. 11.2 meters (37 ft) to the building line within the garden. Building footprint therefore approx. 8.7x11.2 m (29x37 ft).
Adjacent buildings: No, only a garage to the left of the house
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of full floors: 2
Roof type: Open construction, slope between 0 and 38°
Architectural style: Single-family house with gable roof or urban villa
Orientation: Southeast
Maximum height/restrictions: Not yet clear
Additional requirements: Roof slope 0-38°. Knee wall height 50 cm (20 inches).

Homeowner requirements
Style, roof shape, building type: Single-family house with gable roof or urban villa
Basement, number of floors: Basement
Number of occupants, ages: 2 adults, 2 children
Room requirements on ground floor and upper floor: Ground floor with living and dining area, kitchen, wardrobe, guest toilet with shower, study. Upper floor with master bedroom including dressing room, 2 children’s rooms, family bathroom.
Office: Family use or home office? 1 home office, 1 office for mixed use including guest room
Guest rooms per year: One guest room is sufficient
Open or closed architecture: Open
Conservative or modern design: Preferably modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor facing the garden/south
Open kitchen, cooking island: Yes
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: No
Music/speaker wall: Yes, in the living area.
Balcony, roof terrace: Not necessary, only a terrace on the ground floor/garden
Garage, carport: Garage or carport next to the house
Utility garden, greenhouse: Possibly 2 raised beds and a garden shed for lawn mower etc., otherwise lawn, few trees etc.
Additional wishes/special features/daily routine, including reasons why certain things are planned or avoided: Height differences between the property and neighboring land allow the basement to be partially above ground. The idea is to provide natural daylight with regular windows facing south and light wells only towards the garden.

House design
Planning by: Do-it-yourself
Estimated cost according to architect/planner: Not yet available
Personal budget limit for the house, including fixtures: 500,000
Preferred heating technology: Heat pump

If you have to forgo anything, which details/finishes
- You can do without: attic conversion, especially dormers; garden and exterior work can theoretically be done later or as DIY.
- You cannot do without: bright living area on the ground floor with garden view.

Why is the design like it is now?
A mix of many examples from various magazines...