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!
Häuslebau3r9 Aug 2016 13:17I didn’t want to say it until I read it, but the remark about alcoholics might not be too far off.
What would be your preference regarding the following points?
We already have more current sketches and rough drafts at home and I will try to create a final version from them to post here.
You could spend all day and night pondering this.
What would be your preference regarding the following points?
- Main entrance on the west side (which would be the street side)?
- Kitchen facing east or west?
- Stairwell on the north or east side (north wouldn’t be disruptive), on the east side you would have a great view when using the stairs?
- Upstairs bedroom orientation, generally more east or south?
We already have more current sketches and rough drafts at home and I will try to create a final version from them to post here.
You could spend all day and night pondering this.
Häuslebau3r schrieb:
I didn’t want to say it until I read it, but that about alcoholics wouldn’t be far off. Häuslebau3r schrieb:
What would be your preferences on the following points?I can share what I thought about during our house planning. Whether that applies to you or matches your taste or lifestyle, you’ll have to decide for yourselves.Häuslebau3r schrieb:
Main entrance facing directly west (so street side)?I wanted the entrance directly on the street side. I simply don’t like it when someone has to walk around the house to find the front door. Also, it expands your—let’s call it—private area on your property.Häuslebau3r schrieb:
Kitchen on the east or west side?That depends on the rest of your layout. For us, the kitchen is on the south side. Our living room, however, faces entirely west (the back side, just meadows). We spend much more time at home in the afternoon and evening than in the morning. We often enjoy sitting for half an hour in the sun in the evening, whether outside on the terrace or inside behind the large windows.Häuslebau3r schrieb:
Staircase on the north or east side (north wouldn’t be a problem), but on the east, when using the stairs, there’s a great view)?I’ll answer that with a counter question: How long do you realistically expect to stand daily on the stairs enjoying the view? And how long will you be standing or sitting in the living room and/or kitchen enjoying the view?Häuslebau3r schrieb:
Bedrooms upstairs generally facing east or south?Our children’s rooms face south (one to the west, one to the east). Our bathroom is in the northeast and our bedroom in the northwest (I prefer the morning sunbeams in the bathroom; for me, they’re more important there than in the bedroom) – but depending on taste, it can also be the other way around.Häuslebau3r schrieb:
For me, one thing is already certain: the stairwell, which I absolutely want to keep as it is because of the truly amazing natural lighting. It fascinated me from the very first glance.Yes, the effect is great!
Basically, I would advise everyone to plan everything else first, and the staircase will follow naturally.
I would also generally recommend not to get too fixated on the initial infatuation, because it can happen that you end up planning everything just around this one feature and lose sight of the bigger picture, ending up with a mess just to keep this beloved element that you won’t even notice later on.
Häuslebau3r schrieb:
However, the above points probably need to be clarified first before continuing planning the positioning of the dining, living, and kitchen areas, etc. (The tendency is naturally always towards the south/west, in my opinion.)Häuslebau3r schrieb:
For me, the question is partly difficult because of the arrangement of the stairwell. (But:
In this case, it actually makes sense to place the stairs or a nice view to the east. On the street side, the problem would be that on the upper floor you would be visible from outside when the light is on, and you would only want to enter the stairwell or a room behind a panoramic window without light.
Häuslebau3r schrieb:
I originally did not want to post the first attempts because these are not to scale. They merely serve as a first rough guide or brainstorming example for how something could be arranged. So far, the depiction always shows the main entrance facing north. However, we would of course be open to changing the layout of the rooms.
So please don’t evaluate or weigh these in detail. Thank youYou’re thinking too much in corners.
I quickly sketched your plot, placed an attic floor (DG) to the north, and attached a 12 x 12 meter (39 x 39 feet) complex. From this, you can easily draw the recessed entrance, the stairwell in the center on the east side, a utility room in the northeast, the kitchen on the west, dining to the south, and the living room in the southeast. On the upper floor, there would be two children’s rooms to the south; the rest will fall into place naturally.
If you want to highlight one part of the façade as a standout feature, you can of course do so, but that will just make it more expensive.
Häuslebau3r10 Aug 2016 14:54Good afternoon everyone,
I have taken your advice to heart once again and tried to put the latest designs on paper as best as possible, based on the existing sketches (hand drawings), though I am not an expert.
Option 1:
for a larger view as PDF
Option 1.pdf
The ground floor shows the entrance block described by @ypg between the garage and the front door on the north side. I personally really like this design, but due to the layout it would take away 2 meters (6.5 feet) in the south. The stairs are positioned to take advantage of the nice view to the east (possibly also serving as a gallery replacement with very tall, continuous windows / window front). The kitchen is located directly to the west, including a pantry which I personally do not want to give up. The dining and living areas can be flooded with natural light from large floor-to-ceiling windows facing south, enhancing the atmosphere.
The upper floor is fairly straightforward, laid out with straight lines and no unnecessary frills. I personally don’t think a children’s bathroom with a shower is necessary. But as with the pantry on the ground floor, opinions differ.
Option 2:
for a larger view as PDF
Option 2.pdf
The ground floor shows the garage attached directly to the house. In bad weather, you can walk through the utility/technical room into the house without getting wet. The front door faces west, towards the street. A roof extension or awning provides some protection right at the front door. The stairs are positioned to the north and have a long, narrow window that brings plenty of light into the stairwell (garage with a flat roof or low-pitched hipped roof, e.g. 25 degrees). Walking through the hallway to the living room, you are greeted by a large floor-to-ceiling window wall stretching all the way up to the ceiling towards the east (nice view). (See example below of what I envision.) The office/workroom has an exit to the south-facing terrace. Kitchen, living, and dining areas are arranged in a small L-shape. Between the living and dining areas, there is a gallery opening upwards. The terrace is accessible from the dining area through a large sliding window wall.
The upper floor is also quite straightforward. The rooms are a bit smaller than in Option 1 because the gallery with the large window front on the east enhances the view further.
I hope these new drafts present better versions of the designs, which we believe show the two best possible options.
Sample images of window fronts for Option 2
I would be grateful for any improvements or feedback from you.
Best regards,
Andreas
I have taken your advice to heart once again and tried to put the latest designs on paper as best as possible, based on the existing sketches (hand drawings), though I am not an expert.
Option 1:
for a larger view as PDF
Option 1.pdf
The ground floor shows the entrance block described by @ypg between the garage and the front door on the north side. I personally really like this design, but due to the layout it would take away 2 meters (6.5 feet) in the south. The stairs are positioned to take advantage of the nice view to the east (possibly also serving as a gallery replacement with very tall, continuous windows / window front). The kitchen is located directly to the west, including a pantry which I personally do not want to give up. The dining and living areas can be flooded with natural light from large floor-to-ceiling windows facing south, enhancing the atmosphere.
The upper floor is fairly straightforward, laid out with straight lines and no unnecessary frills. I personally don’t think a children’s bathroom with a shower is necessary. But as with the pantry on the ground floor, opinions differ.
Option 2:
for a larger view as PDF
Option 2.pdf
The ground floor shows the garage attached directly to the house. In bad weather, you can walk through the utility/technical room into the house without getting wet. The front door faces west, towards the street. A roof extension or awning provides some protection right at the front door. The stairs are positioned to the north and have a long, narrow window that brings plenty of light into the stairwell (garage with a flat roof or low-pitched hipped roof, e.g. 25 degrees). Walking through the hallway to the living room, you are greeted by a large floor-to-ceiling window wall stretching all the way up to the ceiling towards the east (nice view). (See example below of what I envision.) The office/workroom has an exit to the south-facing terrace. Kitchen, living, and dining areas are arranged in a small L-shape. Between the living and dining areas, there is a gallery opening upwards. The terrace is accessible from the dining area through a large sliding window wall.
The upper floor is also quite straightforward. The rooms are a bit smaller than in Option 1 because the gallery with the large window front on the east enhances the view further.
I hope these new drafts present better versions of the designs, which we believe show the two best possible options.
Sample images of window fronts for Option 2
I would be grateful for any improvements or feedback from you.
Best regards,
Andreas
I prefer option 1 in terms of orientation compared to option 2.
On the upper floor, I would position the children’s bedrooms on the lower side of the plan (south) and move the other rooms upwards. You don’t need 30m² (323 ft²) for the bedroom and dressing area, nor 22m² (237 ft²) for the bathroom.
The staircase is planned very generously (too large), but that will be adjusted in the detailed design stage.
A wardrobe could also be added below the guest toilet. Depending on how the entrance area is covered, it could be quite dark there and in the hallway. Option 2 has advantages in this regard.
The pantry is very narrow in both options.
May I ask what the overall budget for this project is?
On the upper floor, I would position the children’s bedrooms on the lower side of the plan (south) and move the other rooms upwards. You don’t need 30m² (323 ft²) for the bedroom and dressing area, nor 22m² (237 ft²) for the bathroom.
The staircase is planned very generously (too large), but that will be adjusted in the detailed design stage.
A wardrobe could also be added below the guest toilet. Depending on how the entrance area is covered, it could be quite dark there and in the hallway. Option 2 has advantages in this regard.
The pantry is very narrow in both options.
May I ask what the overall budget for this project is?
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