A
abetterway8 Mar 2015 15:26Hello!
After reconsidering our space requirements, we have received the first drafts. I would like to share them here because we are partly satisfied but there are still a few points we are not completely happy with. Maybe you have some tips and suggestions.
We really like the ground floor already, but for the upper floor, we have several variants and are not 100% satisfied yet.
Some basic information:
- There are no restrictions regarding the building permit / planning permission.
- Plot size: approx. 1800 m² (0.44 acres)
- Slope: facing southeast
- Number of floors: 2 full stories, 1 basement level
- Roof type: gable roof
- Number of occupants, age: Currently 2 adults (27 and 28), planning for two children
- Room requirements basement: technical room, storage, office, utility room
- Room requirements ground floor: cloakroom, entrance hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, office/guest room, toilet
- Room requirements upper floor: 2 children’s bedrooms, children’s bathroom, master bedroom, walk-in closet, bathroom, reading area with shelves and access to the terrace
Office: family use or home office; later planned to have office space for each person so everyone has their home office
House design
As mentioned, we received the house design from an architect and are partly satisfied. We really like the ground floor, but we have some issues with the upper floor.
We have received three variants here. In the first one, I really like the walk-in closet, but overall it feels somewhat cluttered.
We don’t like the second variant very much. The third one is nicely structured, but the rooms are quite long. What we do like here is that the reading room in front of the terrace is very spacious, and the children would have room to play[U][B][/B][/U] there.
Of course, there is access to the terrace on the upper floor from the reading area and possibly from the master bedroom. The staircase is not yet shown. We are still considering whether the doors on the east and west sides will have balconies or only French balconies.
On the site plan, you can see that we have to build between the yellow and red lines, anywhere within that space. The plan is oriented north (top is north, bottom is south). The plot dimensions are approx. 55 x 32 m (180 x 105 ft).
The driveway will be from NNW. A garage will be built separately as part of the landscaping works.
We look forward to your opinions, suggestions, and criticism. Maybe you have some ideas.
I hope I have provided all the information you need. =)
Best regards and thanks in advance.
After reconsidering our space requirements, we have received the first drafts. I would like to share them here because we are partly satisfied but there are still a few points we are not completely happy with. Maybe you have some tips and suggestions.
We really like the ground floor already, but for the upper floor, we have several variants and are not 100% satisfied yet.
Some basic information:
- There are no restrictions regarding the building permit / planning permission.
- Plot size: approx. 1800 m² (0.44 acres)
- Slope: facing southeast
- Number of floors: 2 full stories, 1 basement level
- Roof type: gable roof
- Number of occupants, age: Currently 2 adults (27 and 28), planning for two children
- Room requirements basement: technical room, storage, office, utility room
- Room requirements ground floor: cloakroom, entrance hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, office/guest room, toilet
- Room requirements upper floor: 2 children’s bedrooms, children’s bathroom, master bedroom, walk-in closet, bathroom, reading area with shelves and access to the terrace
Office: family use or home office; later planned to have office space for each person so everyone has their home office
House design
As mentioned, we received the house design from an architect and are partly satisfied. We really like the ground floor, but we have some issues with the upper floor.
We have received three variants here. In the first one, I really like the walk-in closet, but overall it feels somewhat cluttered.
We don’t like the second variant very much. The third one is nicely structured, but the rooms are quite long. What we do like here is that the reading room in front of the terrace is very spacious, and the children would have room to play[U][B][/B][/U] there.
Of course, there is access to the terrace on the upper floor from the reading area and possibly from the master bedroom. The staircase is not yet shown. We are still considering whether the doors on the east and west sides will have balconies or only French balconies.
On the site plan, you can see that we have to build between the yellow and red lines, anywhere within that space. The plan is oriented north (top is north, bottom is south). The plot dimensions are approx. 55 x 32 m (180 x 105 ft).
The driveway will be from NNW. A garage will be built separately as part of the landscaping works.
We look forward to your opinions, suggestions, and criticism. Maybe you have some ideas.
I hope I have provided all the information you need. =)
Best regards and thanks in advance.
Maybe it's just me, but I find your plans very hard to read due to the varying line weights. Besides that, elevations would be interesting.
What immediately stands out to me... The bathroom on the ground floor is way too small. For a house of this size, you should consider a bathroom with a shower, or where will any guests shower?
The storage room is inaccessible because it lacks a door.
The entrance hall feels uninviting and is quite dark and somewhat awkward due to the recess and the extended canopy.
The path from the entrance to the kitchen/pantry with groceries is long.
I hope you’re not actually satisfied with the ground floor.
Since you will have offices everywhere now, I don’t understand the purpose of the reading room. First of all, it’s not a room but actually just a hallway. Secondly, once children are around, it will hardly be possible to sit there quietly and read. You can do that in your various offices. That space could be used more effectively.
The children’s bathroom on the upper floor will definitely delight one child; they can keep score whenever someone uses the toilet... it practically couldn’t be any closer.
From the looks of it, budget doesn’t seem to be an issue for you. I assume you have had some kind of cost estimate made for the house?
What immediately stands out to me... The bathroom on the ground floor is way too small. For a house of this size, you should consider a bathroom with a shower, or where will any guests shower?
The storage room is inaccessible because it lacks a door.
The entrance hall feels uninviting and is quite dark and somewhat awkward due to the recess and the extended canopy.
The path from the entrance to the kitchen/pantry with groceries is long.
I hope you’re not actually satisfied with the ground floor.
Since you will have offices everywhere now, I don’t understand the purpose of the reading room. First of all, it’s not a room but actually just a hallway. Secondly, once children are around, it will hardly be possible to sit there quietly and read. You can do that in your various offices. That space could be used more effectively.
The children’s bathroom on the upper floor will definitely delight one child; they can keep score whenever someone uses the toilet... it practically couldn’t be any closer.
From the looks of it, budget doesn’t seem to be an issue for you. I assume you have had some kind of cost estimate made for the house?
I find the layout with the huge walk-in closet and bathroom inconvenient. The children are supposed to use the small shower and have to knock on the parents’ door when they want to use the bathtub? Also, the bedroom is quite small.
Reading is probably not going to happen in the "reading room," as already pointed out by marv45. Considering the very spacious upper floor design, the hallway on the ground floor is quite narrow. If there is so much space available, I would allocate more room at the entrance area for everything children usually bring along. The office on the ground floor is also quite large; maybe some space could be sacrificed there. The storage room on the ground floor also seems to have no access. If it is really planned to use the office as a guest room as well, a shower in the guest bathroom might make sense, which would also be useful for dirty kids.
The sunken living room limits future renovations and will not be cost-effective, just like the non-continuous exterior walls between the living room and terrace. Do you have an idea of how much your villa will cost?
Reading is probably not going to happen in the "reading room," as already pointed out by marv45. Considering the very spacious upper floor design, the hallway on the ground floor is quite narrow. If there is so much space available, I would allocate more room at the entrance area for everything children usually bring along. The office on the ground floor is also quite large; maybe some space could be sacrificed there. The storage room on the ground floor also seems to have no access. If it is really planned to use the office as a guest room as well, a shower in the guest bathroom might make sense, which would also be useful for dirty kids.
The sunken living room limits future renovations and will not be cost-effective, just like the non-continuous exterior walls between the living room and terrace. Do you have an idea of how much your villa will cost?
Child 1 has approximately 2 square meters (about 22 square feet) less space in the entrance area in all three layouts.
If the children are around 10 years old or older, a shower bathroom would be sufficient. However, if the children are still in their early years of life (I see in planning), then the family bathroom would definitely be "too far away" from the children – having a reachable bathtub bathroom is important for children (toddlers have different needs compared to adolescents or adults).
The walls in the living room are not visible... this could create a hall-like effect – no sense of retreat, no coziness.
I share the same view about the guest bathroom: no shower, very small (reminiscent of a townhouse toilet).
If the children are around 10 years old or older, a shower bathroom would be sufficient. However, if the children are still in their early years of life (I see in planning), then the family bathroom would definitely be "too far away" from the children – having a reachable bathtub bathroom is important for children (toddlers have different needs compared to adolescents or adults).
The walls in the living room are not visible... this could create a hall-like effect – no sense of retreat, no coziness.
I share the same view about the guest bathroom: no shower, very small (reminiscent of a townhouse toilet).
ypg schrieb:
If the children are around 10 years old or older, then a shower bathroom would be sufficient.Oh, even children over 10 still like to take a bath sometimes. Especially during puberty, they often develop an interest in cosmetics and wellness.In my opinion, all the designs are too inefficient. In some areas (entryway, shower bathroom, and also compared to the bedrooms and children’s rooms), the space feels cramped, while there are large volumes of unused space in the study, pantry, and storage room. I would try a more nearly square floor plan, with a more open entrance area possibly featuring a small gallery, spacious rooms, and bathrooms that are not too tight.
The entrance area is too small. People without children often underestimate the space needed in a hallway for kids. Strollers, infant car seats, jackets, vests, sleeveless vests, possibly rainwear, kindergarten bags, music bags, sports bags, hats, scarves, shoes, and so on—and that’s just for one child.
I find the steps in the living room area very stylish, but when it comes to children (and possibly aging), they are very impractical and greatly increase the risk of accidents. At the same time, they limit your furniture arrangement options a lot. For example, during gatherings, you can’t just extend the table as you like.
The toilet is too small. Keep in mind that children who are just potty training often need help during toilet visits, so sometimes two people are in the room. Also, children like to follow their mother to the toilet.
Is the hallway and living room area designed as an open plan? If so, good luck with eating while dealing with the sounds and smells from the toilet.
The kitchen would also be too small for us. When I cook, my children often stand right next to me watching and wanting to help.
The large reading area in the hallway upstairs is also wasted space. Once children are around, you rarely get a chance to read there. Better to reserve a corner in the bedroom or living room instead.
The small bathroom for the children is also very inconveniently located. If you don’t put a bathtub in the children’s bathroom, at least make the parents’ bathroom accessible from the hallway for everyone to use—we do it that way.
The terrace upstairs is also questionable. Based on experience, in single-family houses it rarely gets used—at most for airing out bedding—and for that, the space and money would be wasted for me.
Are there actually no windows planned in the toilet and stairwell areas? If so, the toilet will feel like an apartment bathroom and the stairwell will be dark.
I find the steps in the living room area very stylish, but when it comes to children (and possibly aging), they are very impractical and greatly increase the risk of accidents. At the same time, they limit your furniture arrangement options a lot. For example, during gatherings, you can’t just extend the table as you like.
The toilet is too small. Keep in mind that children who are just potty training often need help during toilet visits, so sometimes two people are in the room. Also, children like to follow their mother to the toilet.
Is the hallway and living room area designed as an open plan? If so, good luck with eating while dealing with the sounds and smells from the toilet.
The kitchen would also be too small for us. When I cook, my children often stand right next to me watching and wanting to help.
The large reading area in the hallway upstairs is also wasted space. Once children are around, you rarely get a chance to read there. Better to reserve a corner in the bedroom or living room instead.
The small bathroom for the children is also very inconveniently located. If you don’t put a bathtub in the children’s bathroom, at least make the parents’ bathroom accessible from the hallway for everyone to use—we do it that way.
The terrace upstairs is also questionable. Based on experience, in single-family houses it rarely gets used—at most for airing out bedding—and for that, the space and money would be wasted for me.
Are there actually no windows planned in the toilet and stairwell areas? If so, the toilet will feel like an apartment bathroom and the stairwell will be dark.
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