Good morning,
since our construction project has been stalled for many months due to unforeseeable reasons (which I will share once hopefully everything is over!), I haven’t visited the forum for a while.
Now, however, we are suddenly faced with the question of whether we should slightly shift the planned house on the plot. I’ve attached the current plan. We are seeking advice on the following points:
1) Should we move the house a bit further away from the street, and if so, by how much?
Background: We originally planned the house quite close to the street to maximize the garden area on the west side. However, the attractive green embankment at the boundary of our plot will probably disappear to make way for a new path. In addition, the likelihood has increased that the city of Berlin might revive long-abandoned plans for a four-lane road, which could start about 5.5 meters (18 feet) behind our property boundary, sometime in the next few years. Given this, would you make the front yard a bit more spacious at the expense of the garden, so the east side of the house gets more calm and light? Or would you leave it as is? Our architect recommends the latter.
2) Should we shift the house slightly to the left (north)?
We expect a small gain in space on the south side from this, which might improve the usability of the garden strip there. We think 0.5 to 0.75 meters (20 to 30 inches) could work but are unsure if the northern strip would then become too narrow. The parking position is not fixed, but basically, the northern strip should remain usable as an access way, parking space, shed area, and/or bicycle parking.
I look forward to your advice and thank you very much in advance.
Kind regards,
Kaz
since our construction project has been stalled for many months due to unforeseeable reasons (which I will share once hopefully everything is over!), I haven’t visited the forum for a while.
Now, however, we are suddenly faced with the question of whether we should slightly shift the planned house on the plot. I’ve attached the current plan. We are seeking advice on the following points:
1) Should we move the house a bit further away from the street, and if so, by how much?
Background: We originally planned the house quite close to the street to maximize the garden area on the west side. However, the attractive green embankment at the boundary of our plot will probably disappear to make way for a new path. In addition, the likelihood has increased that the city of Berlin might revive long-abandoned plans for a four-lane road, which could start about 5.5 meters (18 feet) behind our property boundary, sometime in the next few years. Given this, would you make the front yard a bit more spacious at the expense of the garden, so the east side of the house gets more calm and light? Or would you leave it as is? Our architect recommends the latter.
2) Should we shift the house slightly to the left (north)?
We expect a small gain in space on the south side from this, which might improve the usability of the garden strip there. We think 0.5 to 0.75 meters (20 to 30 inches) could work but are unsure if the northern strip would then become too narrow. The parking position is not fixed, but basically, the northern strip should remain usable as an access way, parking space, shed area, and/or bicycle parking.
I look forward to your advice and thank you very much in advance.
Kind regards,
Kaz
Regarding right/left positioning, I would keep the house as centered as possible. That looks good.
The ideal distance from the street depends on the intended use. I assume there is no direct access from the house to the front yard, only via the terrace to the garden. Should the front yard serve just a decorative purpose (looking nice from the street), or will you grow kitchen herbs and vegetables there, which might require a bit more space? Or is a children’s play area planned for that spot?
If the noisy street is going to be at the (rear?) property boundary, meaning the northwest side, it would be best if the house is positioned as far away from that boundary as possible to ensure some quiet. You should also plant trees and shrubs along the property line, as they provide sound insulation. This should be done right away since the greenery will need time to grow before the street is there.
I think the approximately 4m (13 feet) you have currently planned for the front yard is a good compromise. It’s wide enough to design the area nicely and practically; you could even place a bench against the house wall there if you want to enjoy the morning sun.
The ideal distance from the street depends on the intended use. I assume there is no direct access from the house to the front yard, only via the terrace to the garden. Should the front yard serve just a decorative purpose (looking nice from the street), or will you grow kitchen herbs and vegetables there, which might require a bit more space? Or is a children’s play area planned for that spot?
If the noisy street is going to be at the (rear?) property boundary, meaning the northwest side, it would be best if the house is positioned as far away from that boundary as possible to ensure some quiet. You should also plant trees and shrubs along the property line, as they provide sound insulation. This should be done right away since the greenery will need time to grow before the street is there.
I think the approximately 4m (13 feet) you have currently planned for the front yard is a good compromise. It’s wide enough to design the area nicely and practically; you could even place a bench against the house wall there if you want to enjoy the morning sun.
Hmm... the street situation doesn’t sound good.
I would suggest setting the house a bit further back to create more space in the garden, including a seating area on the east side.
I wouldn’t move the house any closer to the western property boundary: you have 4.50 meters (15 feet), and about one meter (3 feet) could be used for a boundary hedge, leaving 3.50 meters (11.5 feet) – it shouldn’t be any less if you want to park a car there and still have room to move around.
One more tip: I would place the trash bins closer to the house, since those paths are used more often than the monthly trip from the waste collection point to the street.
Regards,
Yvonne
I would suggest setting the house a bit further back to create more space in the garden, including a seating area on the east side.
I wouldn’t move the house any closer to the western property boundary: you have 4.50 meters (15 feet), and about one meter (3 feet) could be used for a boundary hedge, leaving 3.50 meters (11.5 feet) – it shouldn’t be any less if you want to park a car there and still have room to move around.
One more tip: I would place the trash bins closer to the house, since those paths are used more often than the monthly trip from the waste collection point to the street.
Regards,
Yvonne
Thanks first of all for the responses! The front yard is not meant to be representative at all, but ideally should provide space for a few nice edible plants and maybe some room for yoga and bike parking. We currently have no neighbors looking in from the street; there is only an unpaved path and a stream. Along the street, we want a hedge or fence that blocks the view. Possibly, if the annoying street gets built someday, a sound barrier wall that can be planted with edible and/or ornamental plants on the inside...
For those who recommend setting the building back to the west—how much would you suggest? The current distance is 4 meters (13 feet).
Thanks & best regards,
Kaz
PS – You’re right about the trash bins, Yvonne; those are still just a concept at the moment 🙂
For those who recommend setting the building back to the west—how much would you suggest? The current distance is 4 meters (13 feet).
Thanks & best regards,
Kaz
PS – You’re right about the trash bins, Yvonne; those are still just a concept at the moment 🙂
Kazazi schrieb:
For those who recommend moving the building setback further west—how much would you suggest? The distance is currently 4 meters (13 feet).Moving it back by 50cm (20 inches) or 1 meter (39 inches) won’t improve things in the southeast, but it will cause disadvantages in the northwest...
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