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.
B
backbone2325 May 2013 22:48Oh, by the way, if the first floor is going to be rented out to tenants, where can the washing machine and dryer be placed there?
Thank you in advance for the many suggestions! We have already considered some points, but others offered new and helpful perspectives.
Regarding our living situation: we are not in need of care yet, and age is always relative. We want to keep the option open to live in the house as long as possible in the future. If, in the case of needing care, we eventually decide to leave the familiar environment, that would not be a problem. However, remodeling a house later might no longer be possible if it is not planned in advance.
While searching for a house or plot of land, we have also recently noticed that it is not easy to find a suitable house in our area.
How far it makes sense to prepare for the future is probably a topic for another thread. 🙂
@ypg: Thanks for the advice about swapping the bathroom and utility room. We hadn’t considered that issue before.
According to our local consultants, the pantry would be wheelchair accessible if the shelves on one side are removed.
We are still figuring out the best place for a TV and the exact sofa arrangement.
@backbone23: The lower bedroom is indeed not fully wheelchair accessible with a double bed.
If a wheelchair were needed, the second bedroom would have to be used. There would also need to be enough space for wardrobes, beds, and a 1.5 m (5 feet) turning radius for the wheelchair.
Regarding our living situation: we are not in need of care yet, and age is always relative. We want to keep the option open to live in the house as long as possible in the future. If, in the case of needing care, we eventually decide to leave the familiar environment, that would not be a problem. However, remodeling a house later might no longer be possible if it is not planned in advance.
While searching for a house or plot of land, we have also recently noticed that it is not easy to find a suitable house in our area.
How far it makes sense to prepare for the future is probably a topic for another thread. 🙂
@ypg: Thanks for the advice about swapping the bathroom and utility room. We hadn’t considered that issue before.
According to our local consultants, the pantry would be wheelchair accessible if the shelves on one side are removed.
We are still figuring out the best place for a TV and the exact sofa arrangement.
@backbone23: The lower bedroom is indeed not fully wheelchair accessible with a double bed.
If a wheelchair were needed, the second bedroom would have to be used. There would also need to be enough space for wardrobes, beds, and a 1.5 m (5 feet) turning radius for the wheelchair.
I’m starting to regret my naivety again 😉
Well, I know someone who has built a house... fully aware that they have MS and will later need a wheelchair.
I don’t want to live in a house designed for a wheelchair user, neither in my younger years nor now in my mid-40s. To do so (also in your floor plan) requires too many compromises: living space becomes much too small, an accessible bathroom replaces a wellness oasis, wide and intrusive doors, and bedrooms and living areas on the ground floor are cut off by a staircase. Besides, it’s a major cost factor (space of 150cm (60 inches) where 100cm (40 inches) would actually be enough, but then a 13 sqm (140 sq ft) corner for the living room that can’t be furnished properly for a family), money I’d rather invest in things that bring me comfort and quality of life now.
If I see you haven’t even planned a children’s room yet, then put your money into a solid and clever bungalow, but don’t plan for a caregiver’s accommodation just yet. In case of emergency (worst-case scenario), a caregiver can be housed in a guest or home office room with a shower toilet.
Enjoy life now!
I recently watched a documentary about houses (NDR sometimes shows short reports about innovative and special homes). A woman, around 70 years old, had a wooden bungalow built with several level changes, staggered floors. Her comment on barrier-free building: if you plan for it, you become ill! She plans for now and lives accordingly – happily active!
Well, I know someone who has built a house... fully aware that they have MS and will later need a wheelchair.
I don’t want to live in a house designed for a wheelchair user, neither in my younger years nor now in my mid-40s. To do so (also in your floor plan) requires too many compromises: living space becomes much too small, an accessible bathroom replaces a wellness oasis, wide and intrusive doors, and bedrooms and living areas on the ground floor are cut off by a staircase. Besides, it’s a major cost factor (space of 150cm (60 inches) where 100cm (40 inches) would actually be enough, but then a 13 sqm (140 sq ft) corner for the living room that can’t be furnished properly for a family), money I’d rather invest in things that bring me comfort and quality of life now.
If I see you haven’t even planned a children’s room yet, then put your money into a solid and clever bungalow, but don’t plan for a caregiver’s accommodation just yet. In case of emergency (worst-case scenario), a caregiver can be housed in a guest or home office room with a shower toilet.
Enjoy life now!
I recently watched a documentary about houses (NDR sometimes shows short reports about innovative and special homes). A woman, around 70 years old, had a wooden bungalow built with several level changes, staggered floors. Her comment on barrier-free building: if you plan for it, you become ill! She plans for now and lives accordingly – happily active!
I wouldn’t want to live for 30 years in an expensive compromise house just because there might be a need for care at some point. You can think about that scenario when it actually occurs. Especially since you don’t know beforehand what kind of care you might need.
Regarding the floor plan:
I don’t think the two adjoining bedrooms/music rooms are well designed.
The living room is very, very small. Is there no space for bookshelves?
Regarding the floor plan:
I don’t think the two adjoining bedrooms/music rooms are well designed.
The living room is very, very small. Is there no space for bookshelves?
After spending some time focusing on accessibility, we believe that accessible construction requires more planning effort but actually involves very few compromises in the building itself. On the contrary, we find the recommendations very comfortable for everyday use as well (wide stairs, no obstacles, storage space at the entrance, etc. – which is great!). Perhaps our description gave the impression that we are already installing all measures (e.g., grab bars) completely now. Our intention is simply to live comfortably from the start and have the option to easily implement additional measures later on.
A large bathroom is accessible but also generally a great feature and can easily be designed as a relaxing space. Even with children, an accessible solution is much more convenient, and maybe we really want to rent out the upper floor later on (it does not have to be a caregiver 🙂).
So, besides the question of which orientation the kitchen should have, we are interested in where you would see compromises. Some have already been mentioned and were helpful.
The living room is mainly small because of the music room. If you combine the dining, living, and music rooms (open plan), is it still too small?
A large bathroom is accessible but also generally a great feature and can easily be designed as a relaxing space. Even with children, an accessible solution is much more convenient, and maybe we really want to rent out the upper floor later on (it does not have to be a caregiver 🙂).
So, besides the question of which orientation the kitchen should have, we are interested in where you would see compromises. Some have already been mentioned and were helpful.
The living room is mainly small because of the music room. If you combine the dining, living, and music rooms (open plan), is it still too small?
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