ᐅ A unique floor plan set in a natural environment with views of lakes

Hello everyone,
I purchased a plot of land mid-year, where a roughly built wooden cabin once stood. I have already demolished and removed it.

By early December, I was almost finished with the planning, and last week I showed the plans to my family at a pre-Christmas gathering. Naturally, not all 12 adults agreed with my views. Unfortunately, I’m already mentally fixed on my plans, and it’s difficult for me to rethink everything from scratch now. I’m hoping to find ideas and inspiration in this forum.
The view of the lakes is unique; in summer we flew a drone over the area, and in winter you naturally have an even clearer view of the lakes!

I’ve completed the questionnaire to the best of my knowledge.

Development Plan / Restrictions

• Plot size: 640sqm (6889 sq ft)
• Slope: none
• Plot ratio (site coverage): 0.09
• Floor area ratio: 0.13
• Building envelope, building line and boundary: 3m (10ft) from neighboring plots, and the forest protection strip must be observed; 55sqm (592 sq ft) building footprint; parking space (carport only, no garage) outside the buildable area 20sqm (215 sq ft)
• Edge development: see site plan
• Number of parking spaces: 1
• Number of stories: 1.5
• Roof type: gable roof or shed roof; neighbors have built flat roofs as well. Considering the number of stories, the ceiling height had to be lowered to 2.30m (7 ft 7 in) at one third of the height.
• Maximum heights / limits: 8m (26 ft)
• Other specifications: building plinth must not exceed 0.35m (14 in)

Requirements from the homeowners

• Style, roof type, building type: shed roof
• Basement, stories: basement + 1.5 stories
• Number of people, age: 1 person, 42 years old
• Space requirement on ground floor and upper floor: approx. 60sqm (646 sq ft)
• Use: residential
• Guest sleepers per year: 25 (1-2 persons simultaneously excluding myself)
• Open or closed architecture: open
• Conservative or modern style: modern
• Open kitchen, kitchen island: preferably kitchen island
• Number of dining seats: 2-4

• Fireplace: no
• Music/Stereo wall: no
• Balcony, roof terrace: no
• Garage, carport: no, not planned for now
• Vegetable garden, greenhouse: small-scale vegetable cultivation
• Other wishes: an open kitchen/living area is desirable (for info: I budgeted 20-25 thousand euros for the kitchen). It would be a plus but not a must to fit a TV somewhere on the ground floor. The floor-to-ceiling windows will all be sliding doors as I prefer level access to my terrace. This terrace will extend a bit further south than currently shown on the plan. On the upper floor, I plan a bay window seating area; on the ground floor, that would also be welcome.

House Design

• Who created the design: myself, with input from my family (uncles and aunts enjoy giving their “two cents”)

• Draftsman from a building company: I have a draftsman who has long worked with my builder (a very good friend of mine who also built in this neighborhood)

• What do you particularly like? Why?: The location is outstanding as it is surrounded by greenery, and from the upper floor you have views of two lakes; in winter there is also a view from the ground floor. The small settlement (a former weekend holiday home area) is on a hill in our small town, far from busy roads.

• What do you dislike? Why?: I can’t exactly say I dislike anything, but due to the very limited building area and the resulting building envelope, this won’t be a standard house — the floor plan is unique.

• Price estimate according to architect/planner: 220,000 euros (excluding kitchen)

• Personal price limit for house including fixtures: 280,000 euros

• Preferred heating technology: air-to-water heat pump, energy efficiency class 55; my uncle is advising me on energy efficiency

If you have to forgo anything, which details/features would you give up?

• Could give up: solar panels, carport
• Cannot give up: kitchen with dining area

Why is the design as it is now?

• Standard design from planner: no, due to the restricted building field; the maximum buildable footprint is 55sqm (592 sq ft), with 1.5 stories

What is the most important/basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?

The planning of the kitchen including living area + windows (size, number, placement). Kitchen/living area should be open and cozy.

Never build with a basement costing 220k. The planner either hasn’t designed anything in the last 10 years or wants to harm you.

Thanks for the tip. As you can see, I am also planning for a higher amount. But the total construction cost is not really "the problem." Please don’t worry so much about my money—I can handle that myself, or rather my financial advisor can. :-)

So, I think 220 without kitchen and without additional construction-related costs is not that far off.

That's only 38m² (410 sq ft) per floor.
So why never 220?
80 x 2000m² (21,528,000 sq ft) = 160k
40 – 60k basement

Is this going to be a weekend house? And why are there no interior walls yet— is that part of the planning still missing?

I’m not quite sure yet how you plan to proceed from here.

The price should be reasonable since there is no garage or exterior work included, and the (holiday) house is a tiny house.

This will be a single-person house, a permanent residence. I am very comfortable with the number of square meters, as I currently have much less space in a smaller townhouse without a garden.
Where would you recommend placing the walls?
As mentioned, price is not an issue. If anyone has specific design ideas, that would be very helpful.