Hello dear house building enthusiasts,
I would like to convert the attic (2nd floor) of an older building (built in 1974). When the house was constructed in the 1970s, the builder already planned a floor layout for the attic, knowing that it would be converted a few years after completion.
Unfortunately, life got in the way and it was never converted. For the past 45 years, it has been used as a “luxury storage attic.” As you can see from the two floor plans, there is a balcony, several skylights, and also regular windows. I have attached the current state (Ist-Stand_2018.jpg). As you can see, no walls have been built yet.
I reconstructed the originally planned layout (see attachment “Ursprünglicher_Grundriss.jpg”) from the old documents and redrawn it. Unfortunately, I am unsatisfied with this layout for the following reasons:
I have already put a lot of thought into this but haven’t found a satisfactory solution. I have attached one of my drafts (Grundriss_Neuentwurf.jpg). In this version, I like the placement of the kitchen, dining area, and bathroom very much, but I have the following issues:
In general, I have a question:
The apartment measures 107 m² (1150 sq ft) calculated according to living space regulations. Is it common for a size like this to accommodate 2 children’s bedrooms plus 1 master bedroom, or is it more usual nowadays to have 1 child’s bedroom and 1 master bedroom?
Since the apartment is not intended for me, I have no personal preferences.
Thank you in advance for any help and ideas!
Best regards,
Flasher
I would like to convert the attic (2nd floor) of an older building (built in 1974). When the house was constructed in the 1970s, the builder already planned a floor layout for the attic, knowing that it would be converted a few years after completion.
Unfortunately, life got in the way and it was never converted. For the past 45 years, it has been used as a “luxury storage attic.” As you can see from the two floor plans, there is a balcony, several skylights, and also regular windows. I have attached the current state (Ist-Stand_2018.jpg). As you can see, no walls have been built yet.
I reconstructed the originally planned layout (see attachment “Ursprünglicher_Grundriss.jpg”) from the old documents and redrawn it. Unfortunately, I am unsatisfied with this layout for the following reasons:
- The kitchen was also meant to serve as a dining area (typical open kitchen). Due to the kitchen’s position under the sloped roof, it is undersized. It was intended to place a table for 3 people in the kitchen.
- A child’s room can only be accessed via the common staircase, not through the apartment itself. That is a no-go for me.
- I would have liked a combined living and dining area.
I have already put a lot of thought into this but haven’t found a satisfactory solution. I have attached one of my drafts (Grundriss_Neuentwurf.jpg). In this version, I like the placement of the kitchen, dining area, and bathroom very much, but I have the following issues:
- I can’t find a satisfactory way to place the sofa.
- I would have liked to use the entire width of the balcony for the living room. Now, I placed a bedroom in half of the balcony space and would even have to remove the door-window combination to the balcony.
In general, I have a question:
The apartment measures 107 m² (1150 sq ft) calculated according to living space regulations. Is it common for a size like this to accommodate 2 children’s bedrooms plus 1 master bedroom, or is it more usual nowadays to have 1 child’s bedroom and 1 master bedroom?
Since the apartment is not intended for me, I have no personal preferences.
Thank you in advance for any help and ideas!
Best regards,
Flasher
Hello to both of you!
I am still working on drawing the floor plan in SweetHome 3D. As a beginner, it’s taking longer than I expected. I will upload it here tomorrow evening. After that, we will have a better basis for discussion.
I would like to answer a few points already:
[Knee wall height:]
60 cm (24 inches) from the lower edge of the roof beam to the concrete ceiling (excluding screed)
[Possible redesign options:]
I own the entire house, which means I have access to the first floor, which also needs renovation. The eastern part of the ground floor will also be renovated, meaning everything east of the staircase.
[Drainage and wastewater pipes:]
I am hesitant to move the toilet and kitchen waste stacks as well as the greywater pipes to the eastern side on every floor. There are currently no water or wastewater lines on the eastern side.
However, I can well imagine moving the kitchen waste stack a few meters. The bathroom on the first floor also needs renovation, so I have some flexibility here.
[Entrance:]
I can easily relocate the entrance. The staircase also urgently needs renovation (glass blocks).
Best regards,
Flasher
I am still working on drawing the floor plan in SweetHome 3D. As a beginner, it’s taking longer than I expected. I will upload it here tomorrow evening. After that, we will have a better basis for discussion.
I would like to answer a few points already:
[Knee wall height:]
60 cm (24 inches) from the lower edge of the roof beam to the concrete ceiling (excluding screed)
[Possible redesign options:]
I own the entire house, which means I have access to the first floor, which also needs renovation. The eastern part of the ground floor will also be renovated, meaning everything east of the staircase.
[Drainage and wastewater pipes:]
I am hesitant to move the toilet and kitchen waste stacks as well as the greywater pipes to the eastern side on every floor. There are currently no water or wastewater lines on the eastern side.
However, I can well imagine moving the kitchen waste stack a few meters. The bathroom on the first floor also needs renovation, so I have some flexibility here.
[Entrance:]
I can easily relocate the entrance. The staircase also urgently needs renovation (glass blocks).
Best regards,
Flasher
Flasher schrieb:
I am still working on drawing the floor plan in SweetHome 3D. [...] After that, we will have a better basis for discussion. Climbee schrieb:
Where is the east?
I don’t need SweetHome 3D, I assume the best basis is probably the original plans; dog-eared pages or punched holes don’t matter there.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
We don’t all need SH3D; what we really need are measurements!
Then you would probably have to factor in new screed as well as ceiling finishing, which would shift the apartment size again.
Your 107 m² (1152 sq ft) might be correct according to WoFiV, but it’s rather confusing for planning purposes. Regarding your question about using 107 m² (1152 sq ft): yes, with a good layout, you should be able to fit two small children’s rooms, but that’s not possible given the current plumbing connections and the many sloping walls.
Also: have you included the loggia in your calculation? Furthermore, walls and partitions need to be subtracted, which brings us down to about 90–95 m² (969–1023 sq ft).
What is the roof pitch angle?
The apartment, or at least its current state, feels quite oppressive to me. Almost only skylights in the bedrooms, proper windows only near the drainpipe.
As a landlord, you need to consider not only a good return (four people paying vs. three?), but also that the rooms are truly livable, meaning larger windows and possibly one or two dormers. If there are three dwelling units, is a second escape route required in the living spaces? A skylight does not count as one.
I also find the balcony window questionable.
Otherwise, I would follow @kaho674’s suggestion and place the sofa in this free corner with the column, facing the TV. Move the door to the bedroom.
-> Two dormers plus proper windows, kitchen plumbing including wastewater lines can probably be installed in the screed over about 5 meters (16 feet)... then it becomes a 3.5-room apartment.
Then you would probably have to factor in new screed as well as ceiling finishing, which would shift the apartment size again.
Your 107 m² (1152 sq ft) might be correct according to WoFiV, but it’s rather confusing for planning purposes. Regarding your question about using 107 m² (1152 sq ft): yes, with a good layout, you should be able to fit two small children’s rooms, but that’s not possible given the current plumbing connections and the many sloping walls.
Also: have you included the loggia in your calculation? Furthermore, walls and partitions need to be subtracted, which brings us down to about 90–95 m² (969–1023 sq ft).
What is the roof pitch angle?
The apartment, or at least its current state, feels quite oppressive to me. Almost only skylights in the bedrooms, proper windows only near the drainpipe.
As a landlord, you need to consider not only a good return (four people paying vs. three?), but also that the rooms are truly livable, meaning larger windows and possibly one or two dormers. If there are three dwelling units, is a second escape route required in the living spaces? A skylight does not count as one.
I also find the balcony window questionable.
Otherwise, I would follow @kaho674’s suggestion and place the sofa in this free corner with the column, facing the TV. Move the door to the bedroom.
-> Two dormers plus proper windows, kitchen plumbing including wastewater lines can probably be installed in the screed over about 5 meters (16 feet)... then it becomes a 3.5-room apartment.
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