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
So, we have had this kind of kitchen layout now in two apartments in a row. In the last apartment, the sink was even placed under the skylight because that’s simply where the connections were. I think you get used to it quite quickly, and when it comes to storage space, it really doesn’t matter how easy or difficult it is to work on the cabinet. Personally, I would only design it like this if there was no better overall option, but I don’t think it’s really that bad.
Flasher schrieb:
3. I could well imagine combining the guest room/office with the living room to create a workspace. You’re right. I just walked through. It’s nicer if the corner is also included in the living room. But the column has to go. (The wall has to go! ...)Hello Boardies,
First of all, many thanks for your many further suggestions on the topic! I didn’t expect that my problematic attic conversion would trigger such a response here.
@Kiki
Thank you for your draft and the perspective drawing of the kitchen! I immediately printed it out because I find your idea of integrating the column into a wall very interesting. What concerns me about your design is that the already mentioned separation between private and living areas does not exist in this layout.
@Climbee
Regarding your question about the calcium silicate bricks:
These were already stored during the house construction for the attic conversion. At some point, the idea came up to lay the bricks on polystyrene foam for thermal insulation reasons. When converting the attic, of course, the bricks will be removed and the screed will be poured directly onto the concrete slab.
@all
I have now collected all your suggestions and marked particularly good aspects/ideas. With this material, I will go to the architect already next week. Thanks again for all the input!
@katja:
I will bring up the column issue. Yesterday I was crawling in the attic space and took a closer look. I am skeptical that the column can be easily moved since there is a section of the exterior wall between the two parts of the roof resting on it. But the suggestion is definitely worth considering.
Best regards,
Flasher
First of all, many thanks for your many further suggestions on the topic! I didn’t expect that my problematic attic conversion would trigger such a response here.
@Kiki
Thank you for your draft and the perspective drawing of the kitchen! I immediately printed it out because I find your idea of integrating the column into a wall very interesting. What concerns me about your design is that the already mentioned separation between private and living areas does not exist in this layout.
@Climbee
Regarding your question about the calcium silicate bricks:
These were already stored during the house construction for the attic conversion. At some point, the idea came up to lay the bricks on polystyrene foam for thermal insulation reasons. When converting the attic, of course, the bricks will be removed and the screed will be poured directly onto the concrete slab.
@all
I have now collected all your suggestions and marked particularly good aspects/ideas. With this material, I will go to the architect already next week. Thanks again for all the input!
@katja:
I will bring up the column issue. Yesterday I was crawling in the attic space and took a closer look. I am skeptical that the column can be easily moved since there is a section of the exterior wall between the two parts of the roof resting on it. But the suggestion is definitely worth considering.
Best regards,
Flasher
Flasher schrieb:
I have now gathered all your suggestions and highlighted particularly interesting aspects and ideas. I will take this material to the architect already next week. Thanks again for all the input!Do not go to the architect with a draft. The architect will be more creative if no non-professional proposals are presented. You can then discuss and review their designs.
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