ᐅ A unique floor plan set in a natural environment with views of lakes
Created on: 23 Dec 2018 14:10
M
Melanie L.
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
Requirements from the homeowners
House Design
If you have to forgo anything, which details/features would you give up?
Why is the design as it is now?
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.
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.
kbt09 schrieb:
which is why I positioned the HAR to the right, so that connections are not built over … like the labeled driveway.I would probably do the same, Kerstin.
What do you mean by labeled driveway?
Regarding the initial design:
It seems too plain for my taste and looks far too standard from the outside.
Architecturally, I would take inspiration from (Google):
Schöner Wohnen – hillside house with stacked building volumes.
The planning documents and floor plan are available for download.
Whether it fits within the building envelope / plot boundary still needs to be checked.
It seems too plain for my taste and looks far too standard from the outside.
Architecturally, I would take inspiration from (Google):
Schöner Wohnen – hillside house with stacked building volumes.
The planning documents and floor plan are available for download.
Whether it fits within the building envelope / plot boundary still needs to be checked.
I am also somewhat conflicted.
The building’s form does not appeal to me visually at all. The roof will appear completely distorted. There is no emphasis on the facade. Just as you can use color tricks with interiors, you can do the same with the facade. I also see cladding, for example wood on the second floor, so that the height does not stand out as enormously and awkwardly from a visual perspective.
Furthermore, I believe that all the personal experiments, while fun and feasible even with a standard house, are quite detrimental here.
An architect can offer multiple options, including exceptions regarding building permits / planning permission for boundary construction or overstepping the property line — at least with a single-story approach, they can make the best of it.
For example, it could actually be possible to build over the entire triangular area and omit the protruding corner on the ground floor. This would also allow for more height on the upper floor and avoid issues with the bathroom door.
I would take the liberty of drawing something, but I’m having trouble with the dimensions of the building envelope.
Basically, I don’t see a solid masonry construction here, but rather timber framing, to save a bit on the exterior walls.
It would also be helpful to know whether Melanie prefers a country house style or more of a chrome and steel look 😉
The building’s form does not appeal to me visually at all. The roof will appear completely distorted. There is no emphasis on the facade. Just as you can use color tricks with interiors, you can do the same with the facade. I also see cladding, for example wood on the second floor, so that the height does not stand out as enormously and awkwardly from a visual perspective.
Furthermore, I believe that all the personal experiments, while fun and feasible even with a standard house, are quite detrimental here.
An architect can offer multiple options, including exceptions regarding building permits / planning permission for boundary construction or overstepping the property line — at least with a single-story approach, they can make the best of it.
For example, it could actually be possible to build over the entire triangular area and omit the protruding corner on the ground floor. This would also allow for more height on the upper floor and avoid issues with the bathroom door.
I would take the liberty of drawing something, but I’m having trouble with the dimensions of the building envelope.
Basically, I don’t see a solid masonry construction here, but rather timber framing, to save a bit on the exterior walls.
It would also be helpful to know whether Melanie prefers a country house style or more of a chrome and steel look 😉
Hello,
I wouldn’t do it entirely without room dividers either.
I took about half an hour to think it over.
This is roughly how I would try to realize it.
Important rooms should always face south to take advantage of the sun. Windows should also face the sun.
Since money is not an issue for you, I didn’t exactly skimp on window area.
Southeast view. These are the window areas.
Fewer windows on the east side.
Small kitchen with a small island that is also used for dining (although I would rather eat on the sofa). Stove and refrigerator along the wall. Dishwasher and sink integrated into the island. Everything unnecessary goes into the storage/utility room.
A cloakroom would be important to me so that shoes and jackets aren’t scattered everywhere.
Living room and the view clearly facing south.
There isn’t much to say about the upper floor; it’s self-explanatory. The guest room could be a bit larger, but then the large and inviting window would have to be smaller.
I didn’t consider the basement level. I would place the garage on the north side so the southern part of the property remains free for barbecue, garden, etc.
If we knew what your priorities were, it might be possible to tailor the design better to your needs.
For me, the living room and bedroom are the most important, hence their prominence.
I hope I was able to help or at least provide another perspective.
Best regards,
Red-Ed
I wouldn’t do it entirely without room dividers either.
I took about half an hour to think it over.
This is roughly how I would try to realize it.
Important rooms should always face south to take advantage of the sun. Windows should also face the sun.
Since money is not an issue for you, I didn’t exactly skimp on window area.
Southeast view. These are the window areas.
Fewer windows on the east side.
Small kitchen with a small island that is also used for dining (although I would rather eat on the sofa). Stove and refrigerator along the wall. Dishwasher and sink integrated into the island. Everything unnecessary goes into the storage/utility room.
A cloakroom would be important to me so that shoes and jackets aren’t scattered everywhere.
Living room and the view clearly facing south.
There isn’t much to say about the upper floor; it’s self-explanatory. The guest room could be a bit larger, but then the large and inviting window would have to be smaller.
I didn’t consider the basement level. I would place the garage on the north side so the southern part of the property remains free for barbecue, garden, etc.
If we knew what your priorities were, it might be possible to tailor the design better to your needs.
For me, the living room and bedroom are the most important, hence their prominence.
I hope I was able to help or at least provide another perspective.
Best regards,
Red-Ed
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