ᐅ Planning the Location of the House and Garage Within the Building Envelope *Preliminary Planning*
Created on: 9 Aug 2016 10:52
H
Häuslebau3r
Hello everyone,
I have been following the forum for quite some time now and am gradually approaching the “house building” project step by step, trying to learn as much as possible in advance.
Thanks to the many experts here, this has truly been an enjoyable experience in the way the community contributes. (end of flattery mode) 🙂
As I already mentioned in my first major thread, we are currently working on preliminary planning and considering the house design and its orientation on the plot, even before our first meetings with potential builders.
Taking several factors into account regarding the plot, such as price and an undeveloped east-facing location (sloping gently down to the east), we found a micro-location that we really like. We weren’t able to get our ideal size, but with 770m² (8300 sq ft), I think it’s more than sufficient. The main advantage for us is that the land can be fully paid for from our own funds, so until construction starts in early 2018, we will continue saving equity and paying off any remaining debts.
Source: Excerpts from the development plan / self-created images
A building permit inquiry (building permit / planning permission) has already been submitted regarding the desired architectural style, and I have received approval to expand the building envelope up to 8 meters (26 feet) along the eastern boundary.
At the moment, we are leaning toward a rather classic city villa style (2 full floors with a hipped roof at 25° and a double garage).
Source: Weberhaus
Based on the budget we have personally set, we are initially planning without a basement. If it turns out to be feasible later on, we can still include it.
We have already visited model homes that appealed to us in terms of external design and even traveled from Bavaria to the Rhineland, and from there to Wuppertal for inspiration.
Right now, before the first planning meetings, we want to focus on finding the best possible orientation for the house and garage on the property, for example:
Source: Excerpts from the development plan
For me, one thing is already decided: the staircase, which I want to have exactly like this due to the fantastic light conditions. It captivated me at first sight.
Source: Weberhaus
Furthermore, we want to keep as much space as possible on the west and south sides to create what I consider an ideal sunny aspect and garden atmosphere.
This is also the tricky part, as the arrangement between house and garage is causing us some headaches.
Many questions arise, such as whether the garage should be placed in front of the house to free up more space on the south side, or rather beside the house (which would include a covered entrance area). A passage from the garage directly into the house is also under consideration. Or should the main entrance be on the west side instead, which might mean it would be uncovered?
Source for covered entrance: Weberhaus
I will post further key data throughout the thread as needed, in case I have forgotten anything important.
However, these points above need to be clarified first before we can continue planning the positioning of the dining, living, and kitchen areas, etc. (Of course, with a preference for south/west orientation).
I would appreciate any information and lively discussions.
Best regards, Andreas, and thank you in advance!
I have been following the forum for quite some time now and am gradually approaching the “house building” project step by step, trying to learn as much as possible in advance.
Thanks to the many experts here, this has truly been an enjoyable experience in the way the community contributes. (end of flattery mode) 🙂
As I already mentioned in my first major thread, we are currently working on preliminary planning and considering the house design and its orientation on the plot, even before our first meetings with potential builders.
Taking several factors into account regarding the plot, such as price and an undeveloped east-facing location (sloping gently down to the east), we found a micro-location that we really like. We weren’t able to get our ideal size, but with 770m² (8300 sq ft), I think it’s more than sufficient. The main advantage for us is that the land can be fully paid for from our own funds, so until construction starts in early 2018, we will continue saving equity and paying off any remaining debts.
Source: Excerpts from the development plan / self-created images
A building permit inquiry (building permit / planning permission) has already been submitted regarding the desired architectural style, and I have received approval to expand the building envelope up to 8 meters (26 feet) along the eastern boundary.
At the moment, we are leaning toward a rather classic city villa style (2 full floors with a hipped roof at 25° and a double garage).
Source: Weberhaus
Based on the budget we have personally set, we are initially planning without a basement. If it turns out to be feasible later on, we can still include it.
We have already visited model homes that appealed to us in terms of external design and even traveled from Bavaria to the Rhineland, and from there to Wuppertal for inspiration.
Right now, before the first planning meetings, we want to focus on finding the best possible orientation for the house and garage on the property, for example:
Source: Excerpts from the development plan
For me, one thing is already decided: the staircase, which I want to have exactly like this due to the fantastic light conditions. It captivated me at first sight.
Source: Weberhaus
Furthermore, we want to keep as much space as possible on the west and south sides to create what I consider an ideal sunny aspect and garden atmosphere.
This is also the tricky part, as the arrangement between house and garage is causing us some headaches.
Many questions arise, such as whether the garage should be placed in front of the house to free up more space on the south side, or rather beside the house (which would include a covered entrance area). A passage from the garage directly into the house is also under consideration. Or should the main entrance be on the west side instead, which might mean it would be uncovered?
Source for covered entrance: Weberhaus
I will post further key data throughout the thread as needed, in case I have forgotten anything important.
However, these points above need to be clarified first before we can continue planning the positioning of the dining, living, and kitchen areas, etc. (Of course, with a preference for south/west orientation).
I would appreciate any information and lively discussions.
Best regards, Andreas, and thank you in advance!
Häuslebau3r schrieb:
As mentioned before, you seem to prefer very intricate layoutsYes, I mean the hallways, upstairs and downstairs.
Häuslebau3r schrieb:
Glass elements would definitely look nice. Due to the reduction of the hallway, etc., it has now been minimized to 1.50m (5 feet). What approximate dimension would be required for that?But according to your drawing, the hallway is not 1.50 meters (5 feet) wide. If I am interpreting the plan for our house correctly, the clear width at the door alone is already 112.5 cm (44 inches).
Häuslebau3r schrieb:
I used the internet regarding the island size and tried to draw it to scale based on our current island. However, I’m not exactly sure if the island needs to be that big or should be (in the drawing it’s 2.40 x 1.30 m (7 ft 10 in x 4 ft 3 in) (LxW)).As I said, the walkway around the island is more of an issue than the island itself. It just doesn’t look like there’s enough space to comfortably move around.
Häuslebau3r17 Aug 2016 13:30Yes, I understand where you’re coming from.
We’re also trying hard to figure out what would still be possible with an L-shaped kitchen, dining, and living area, with the entrance on the west side and the staircase on the east. I think it’s not that simple with such layouts.
It probably doesn’t look very good either if you enter through the front door and see the staircase directly at the end of the hallway. Hmm...
Regarding the front door, you would likely need to plan for about 1.80 meters (6 feet) in width.
As for the kitchen itself, I think we have about 90 cm (35 inches) of clearance around the island in our current apartment. Of course, that also depends somewhat on the size of the island, and so on.
We’re also trying hard to figure out what would still be possible with an L-shaped kitchen, dining, and living area, with the entrance on the west side and the staircase on the east. I think it’s not that simple with such layouts.
It probably doesn’t look very good either if you enter through the front door and see the staircase directly at the end of the hallway. Hmm...
Regarding the front door, you would likely need to plan for about 1.80 meters (6 feet) in width.
As for the kitchen itself, I think we have about 90 cm (35 inches) of clearance around the island in our current apartment. Of course, that also depends somewhat on the size of the island, and so on.
J
j.bautsch17 Aug 2016 13:32I recommend planning your kitchen almost simultaneously with the floor plan design, so you don’t later find out that your dream kitchen doesn’t fit into your house. Typical island depths are usually around 100cm (front side with 60cm (24 inches) cabinets and 40cm (16 inches) at the back) or 120cm (both sides with 60cm (24 inches) cabinets). Walkways around an island should never be less than 90cm (35 inches), with 100-120cm (39-47 inches) being comfortable. For practical reasons, the distance to another countertop or cabinet row shouldn’t be much greater than that either.
Häuslebau3r17 Aug 2016 13:42@j.bautsch,
thank you for the dimensional guidance!
At the moment, we are still at milestone 0, or even before the preliminary planning stage. We are trying to think ahead about the “best possible layout” that we can then take to our preferred planner.
Afterwards, with a professionally prepared preliminary plan, we want to start the initial financing discussions with various banks and mortgage brokers.
Right now, our focus is on achieving the best possible layout for the house and garage (initial ideas about the arrangement of rooms and spaces). I think this part is probably the most challenging and it definitely doesn’t hurt to work on it before the first meetings with the planner.
Therefore, as I understand it, this is not quite top priority at the moment. However, I will definitely take it into account in further considerations.
thank you for the dimensional guidance!
At the moment, we are still at milestone 0, or even before the preliminary planning stage. We are trying to think ahead about the “best possible layout” that we can then take to our preferred planner.
Afterwards, with a professionally prepared preliminary plan, we want to start the initial financing discussions with various banks and mortgage brokers.
Right now, our focus is on achieving the best possible layout for the house and garage (initial ideas about the arrangement of rooms and spaces). I think this part is probably the most challenging and it definitely doesn’t hurt to work on it before the first meetings with the planner.
Therefore, as I understand it, this is not quite top priority at the moment. However, I will definitely take it into account in further considerations.
Häuslebau3r17 Aug 2016 15:17I have tried again to enlarge the entrance area on the ground floor.
Furthermore, the island has been adjusted in size. There is now a distance of 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) to the counter. Due to the changes on the ground floor (aligning the corridors / eliminating angles), the utility room and office are naturally a bit smaller.
On the upper floor, the WC, storage room, and bathroom have been modified accordingly.
Furthermore, the island has been adjusted in size. There is now a distance of 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) to the counter. Due to the changes on the ground floor (aligning the corridors / eliminating angles), the utility room and office are naturally a bit smaller.
On the upper floor, the WC, storage room, and bathroom have been modified accordingly.
Looks much better already.
I have three small remarks:
1. I would remove the bend in the guest bathroom. With the niche, you have created a kind of "space" for the wardrobe. I’m not an expert on wardrobes, but I’m sure something useful can be done there.
2. Regarding the storage room upstairs, I still believe it will be difficult to fit a proper shelf due to the width. I suggest double-checking that.
3. Do you want a single-leaf door as access to the living room? Or something with a side panel or even double doors? I would try to consider that as well.
Otherwise, I find the overall layout much clearer now.
I have three small remarks:
1. I would remove the bend in the guest bathroom. With the niche, you have created a kind of "space" for the wardrobe. I’m not an expert on wardrobes, but I’m sure something useful can be done there.
2. Regarding the storage room upstairs, I still believe it will be difficult to fit a proper shelf due to the width. I suggest double-checking that.
3. Do you want a single-leaf door as access to the living room? Or something with a side panel or even double doors? I would try to consider that as well.
Otherwise, I find the overall layout much clearer now.
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