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 Oct 2016 10:42Good morning Yvonne,
yes, that’s exactly how I understood it too. But thanks again for the explanation.
Yes, the openness could possibly be achieved with glass sliding doors or other glass doors, which can be open in summer and closed in winter to avoid drafts and cold.
At first, I thought you considered the entire design or sketch to be nonsense. But that was a misunderstanding on my part, and you were actually referring to the open spaces.
Best regards, Andreas
yes, that’s exactly how I understood it too. But thanks again for the explanation.
Yes, the openness could possibly be achieved with glass sliding doors or other glass doors, which can be open in summer and closed in winter to avoid drafts and cold.
At first, I thought you considered the entire design or sketch to be nonsense. But that was a misunderstanding on my part, and you were actually referring to the open spaces.
Best regards, Andreas
Hello,
I’ve been a bit busy the past few days and am only now getting back to this topic.
Andreas, in general, I’ve noticed that you initially had quite detailed ideas about certain parts of your future house (for example, the staircase). Without scrolling back through the thread, I would say that unfortunately most of those seem to have disappeared. What remains is a relatively simple floor plan with a recess on the bottom wall of the plan.
I’m putting it quite bluntly on purpose to make sure you’re aware of this. Our floor plan is actually quite simple, too. But that was intentional.
Regarding the current design and the discussion about sightlines: Because of the strong L shape of the living/dining/kitchen area, you are naturally blocking some of the views. We placed more emphasis on sightlines within this area itself rather than looking into or out of the hallway. For this reason, we deliberately kept the leg of the L where our kitchen is located a bit shorter and moved the kitchen island closer to the dining area. From the kitchen island, for example, you can see almost the entire living and dining space.
Edit: What I want to say is that you should think in advance about where you will spend time at home and what you want to do there. Consider where you want to look and what you want to see...
I’ve been a bit busy the past few days and am only now getting back to this topic.
Andreas, in general, I’ve noticed that you initially had quite detailed ideas about certain parts of your future house (for example, the staircase). Without scrolling back through the thread, I would say that unfortunately most of those seem to have disappeared. What remains is a relatively simple floor plan with a recess on the bottom wall of the plan.
I’m putting it quite bluntly on purpose to make sure you’re aware of this. Our floor plan is actually quite simple, too. But that was intentional.
Regarding the current design and the discussion about sightlines: Because of the strong L shape of the living/dining/kitchen area, you are naturally blocking some of the views. We placed more emphasis on sightlines within this area itself rather than looking into or out of the hallway. For this reason, we deliberately kept the leg of the L where our kitchen is located a bit shorter and moved the kitchen island closer to the dining area. From the kitchen island, for example, you can see almost the entire living and dining space.
Edit: What I want to say is that you should think in advance about where you will spend time at home and what you want to do there. Consider where you want to look and what you want to see...
Jochen104 schrieb:
Andreas, I’ve noticed that at the beginning you had quite specific ideas for certain parts of your future house (for example, the staircase). Without scrolling back through the thread, I would say that, unfortunately, most of these have disappeared. What remains is a fairly simple floor plan with a projection in the lower wall of the plan.That’s exactly what I said. Specifically, it was about the staircase and, I believe, the unobstructed view to the east.
Now there is a staircase, just some staircase—and even if it is the dream staircase, hardly anyone will see it.
The original ideas included openness, which would have allowed views to some highlights inside the house.
Häuslebau3r18 Oct 2016 16:21Jochen104 schrieb:
Hello,
I was a bit busy the past few days and am only now getting back to this topic.Hello Jochen,No problem at all – I’m often in the same situation myself lately, which is why I can’t always write every evening or day. Still, I’m glad that constructive and especially honest feedback keeps coming in.
Jochen104 schrieb:
Andreas, in general I noticed that at the beginning you had quite precise ideas for certain elements of your future house (e.g. the staircase, etc.). Without scrolling back through the thread, I would say these (unfortunately) have mostly disappeared. What remains is a relatively simple floor plan with a protrusion on the lower wall in the plan.
I’m saying this quite bluntly on purpose to make sure you are aware of it. We also have a rather simple floor plan. But that’s what we wanted.I think we had somewhat complex ideas at first, judging by how the designs evolved. Of course, the initial thoughts were firmly anchored, but I believe they’ve now simply been adapted to reality (feasibility). The L-shape was always desired, as was the staircase and the focus on the southeast view, which is still available through the windows. Of course, for example, the staircase with the view to the east was sacrificed, but this allowed for a better room layout upstairs.Jochen104 schrieb:
Regarding the current design and the discussion about sightlines: With the strong L-shape of the living/dining/kitchen area, you naturally block quite a bit of the view. We placed more value on the view within this area than on looking from or into the hallway. For that reason, we deliberately kept the leg of the L where our kitchen is a bit shorter and moved the kitchen island more towards the dining area. From the island you can see almost the entire living and dining area.We also considered softening the L-shape a bit and straightening the dining area with the living area or removing that protrusion. But since we wanted to avoid a purely cubic space, we would be reluctant to change this. Perhaps some compromises are indeed necessary. P.S. We have also moved away from the large sliding door between the living and dining areas.What are your experiences, or those of others, regarding kitchen odors spreading into the open areas?
Jochen104 schrieb:
Edit: What I meant to say was: You should think in advance about where you will spend time at home and what you want to do there. Where you want to look and what you want to see...At the moment, we are getting a turnkey quote from construction company 1, which we visited again yesterday, based on the newly created first rough floor plan, just to get a rough idea without commitment. For us, the important thing now is what it comes down to in the end or whether we need to change our plans.
ypg schrieb:
That’s exactly what I said. It was specifically about the staircase and, I believe, the unavoidable view to the east.
Now there is some staircase, any staircase – and even if it is the dream staircase, hardly anyone will see it.
The initial plans aimed for openness, which would have allowed views of some highlights in the house.Yes, I understand what you mean, Yvonne.
For example, the staircase has now moved to the west to better design the southeast orientation of the rooms. (I have marked the cardinal directions again.)
The openness might, as mentioned earlier, still be possible in summer with sliding doors (which, of course, are not cheap). In winter, though, you tend to be more practical, trying to keep out the cold air without a small entrance area (vestibule) and closing off rooms... or is that unrealistic?
It’s clear the current design is nothing spectacular, nor was it ever meant to be. But of course, we are always grateful for and open to suggestions for changes.
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