We plan to build a two-story, energy-efficient house (no dormers, no skylights, compact design, thick stone walls, ventilation system, solar panels if economically viable on the plot).
Initially, we want to live on both floors (ground floor and upper floor).
In old age, we want to keep the option to move entirely to the ground floor.
We would then no longer need the office/children’s rooms and would move the bedroom downstairs. We might also want to create a second bedroom on the ground floor. The upper floor could then be used as a separate apartment (e.g., for a caregiver or for rental).
Here is the orientation of the house at the moment:
The compass directions and the building area are marked. To the north and east there is forest/meadow. The other two property boundaries border neighboring houses. The driveway to the property is approximately in line with the southern extension of the marked southern garage corner.
Although we will, of course, plan and build with an architect, many decisions regarding the design remain to be made, and we would greatly appreciate other opinions and experiences.
We have compiled our preliminary plans here. These are first ideas only, and many details are still open. For example, the windows have not yet been fully designed but only roughly estimated and will certainly change.
Ground floor:
For the arrangement of rooms on the (hopefully) wheelchair-accessible ground floor, we have two options (kitchen in the southwest or kitchen in the southeast).
Version 1: Kitchen in the southwest
The plan above shows the ground floor layout when both floors are occupied by us. The kitchen is located in the southwest (facing the driveway) and will receive a lot of sunlight.
The second plan (still version 1) shows the change if we move to the ground floor only. For this, the bedroom must be relocated downstairs. If needed (in case of more severe disability), a second bedroom can be set up.
Version 2: Kitchen in the southeast
In this version, the kitchen is positioned in the southeast (“living with the sun”). The music room could then be converted into an additional bedroom if needed (unfortunately facing south and the driveway).
Upper floor:
Only one version has been drawn here.
The room marked as a kitchen will initially not be used as a kitchen if we occupy both floors, but as a fitness room for our hobby sports equipment. If the upper floor is later used as a separate apartment, a kitchen can be installed here.
The two offices are separated by lightweight partition walls. These can be removed and combined into one large open dining and living room.
In the stair area (upper floor), we plan to add access to an attic, which will be used for storage or as a hobby room. We still need to consider how to incorporate this through the stairwell in the next planning step.
We would now very much appreciate your opinions and experiences.
Initially, we want to live on both floors (ground floor and upper floor).
In old age, we want to keep the option to move entirely to the ground floor.
We would then no longer need the office/children’s rooms and would move the bedroom downstairs. We might also want to create a second bedroom on the ground floor. The upper floor could then be used as a separate apartment (e.g., for a caregiver or for rental).
Here is the orientation of the house at the moment:
The compass directions and the building area are marked. To the north and east there is forest/meadow. The other two property boundaries border neighboring houses. The driveway to the property is approximately in line with the southern extension of the marked southern garage corner.
Although we will, of course, plan and build with an architect, many decisions regarding the design remain to be made, and we would greatly appreciate other opinions and experiences.
We have compiled our preliminary plans here. These are first ideas only, and many details are still open. For example, the windows have not yet been fully designed but only roughly estimated and will certainly change.
Ground floor:
For the arrangement of rooms on the (hopefully) wheelchair-accessible ground floor, we have two options (kitchen in the southwest or kitchen in the southeast).
Version 1: Kitchen in the southwest
The plan above shows the ground floor layout when both floors are occupied by us. The kitchen is located in the southwest (facing the driveway) and will receive a lot of sunlight.
The second plan (still version 1) shows the change if we move to the ground floor only. For this, the bedroom must be relocated downstairs. If needed (in case of more severe disability), a second bedroom can be set up.
Version 2: Kitchen in the southeast
In this version, the kitchen is positioned in the southeast (“living with the sun”). The music room could then be converted into an additional bedroom if needed (unfortunately facing south and the driveway).
Upper floor:
Only one version has been drawn here.
The room marked as a kitchen will initially not be used as a kitchen if we occupy both floors, but as a fitness room for our hobby sports equipment. If the upper floor is later used as a separate apartment, a kitchen can be installed here.
The two offices are separated by lightweight partition walls. These can be removed and combined into one large open dining and living room.
In the stair area (upper floor), we plan to add access to an attic, which will be used for storage or as a hobby room. We still need to consider how to incorporate this through the stairwell in the next planning step.
We would now very much appreciate your opinions and experiences.
N
nordanney25 May 2013 20:58How old are you that you are already planning so much for old age and/or needing care? I’m speaking for myself here – my family and I live in the present and designed our house for our current life situation. When we get older and the children have moved out, we will simply sell the house and, for example, buy an age-friendly apartment (or even better: rent one and spend the proceeds from the sale).
A house is a functional item, like a car, television, etc., and doesn’t have to be planned for every eventuality or to last forever.
The above is my personal, very pragmatic and realistic view.
A house is a functional item, like a car, television, etc., and doesn’t have to be planned for every eventuality or to last forever.
The above is my personal, very pragmatic and realistic view.
N
nordanney25 May 2013 21:50I just want to understand the living situation so that I can hopefully provide helpful and constructive comments or suggestions.
nordanney schrieb:
How old are you that you are already planning so much for old age and/or need for care? I’m speaking for myself – my family and I live in the present and have designed our home for our current life situation. When we get older and the children have left home, the house will simply be sold and, for example, an age-appropriate apartment bought (or even better: rented and the proceeds from the sale spent).
A house is a functional item like a car or a TV and does not have to be planned for all eventualities or eternity.
The above is my personal, very pragmatic and matter-of-fact view.This is also my opinion – at least partially 🙂
Maybe I’m naïve to think that no one worries so much about care needs unless they’re really sure it will happen 😕
We planned a multi-purpose room on the ground floor. What is currently a guest and office room could be converted into a bedroom if necessary... But if it really becomes impossible, a bungalow will be bought 🙂
B
backbone2325 May 2013 22:46I don’t see any way to place wardrobes in the (later) lower bedroom if there still needs to be space for a wheelchair.
Does the piano wing really have to be positioned in a separate room? How would the acoustics be in such a small room?
I don’t like corners that aren’t 90 degrees. 😉
Does the piano wing really have to be positioned in a separate room? How would the acoustics be in such a small room?
I don’t like corners that aren’t 90 degrees. 😉
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