ᐅ Sloped plot, mountain located behind the house, and lack of evening sunlight

Hello everyone,

we are planning our first house. We have a floor plan from the architect provided by a builder (House of Craftsmen). It is very close to their standard design and was originally planned for a childless couple. The architect will still make some adjustments. For example, the children's rooms should be on the east side and larger than the bedroom. It is important for us to have as much view as possible, which is why we are considering a bay window or alternatively just pushing the house forward. My father-in-law keeps insisting that we place the terrace on the south side. However, there is no nice view there; at best, we can see the neighbor’s propane tank. The utility room will be in the partially finished basement.

I would appreciate advice on how to create a rough draft myself or to be able to bring some concrete ideas to the architect. He only has a flat-rate contract with HdH and probably won’t put in too much effort for us 🙂

Thanks in advance!


Here are the facts:

Development plan/restrictions
Plot size: 475 m2 (5112 ft2)
Slope location: Yes
Floor area ratio: 0.4
Site occupancy index: 0.5
Border development: Southwest is a house. The plots to the north are currently sheep pasture and likely won’t be sold soon. However, development would be possible in principle.
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: maximum 1.5 (on the opposite side of the street there are 2... we don’t know why it’s different here)
Roof type: Gable roof 35°, but the architect plans with 36°, since a 1° tolerance is allowed
Style: Modern and practical
Orientation: Still flexible?
Maximum heights/limits: 3.5 / 6.5
Additional requirements: Garage must have 3 m (10 ft) distance from the street, and the distance to the drains (northern border of the plot) must be observed. I don’t know the exact distance yet.

Owners’ requirements
Style, roof shape, building type: Gable roof is mandatory. Style is rather modern and practical.
Basement, floors: Partial development of the basement is planned. This is where the heating system will go, as well as storage, a fitness room, and a toilet.
Number of occupants, age: 2 adults and 1 child + another child planned, plus a dog.
Room requirements on ground/upper floor: On the ground floor: living and kitchen area, as well as laundry room. Heating will be in the basement. Upstairs should contain the bedrooms and a large bathroom, possibly with a separate toilet.
Office: Home office, possibly also used as a guest room.
Overnight guests per year: Primarily parents-in-law, about 5-6 times? Hopefully no more... Maybe friends 3-4 times a year. That is why it will be more an office/guest room.
Open or closed architecture: Flexible
Conservative or modern construction: Modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: Open kitchen not mandatory but preferred, although a slight separation from the living area would be good.
Number of dining seats: Our table is 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) long...
Fireplace: No
Music/stereo wall: Will be connected to the TV.
Balcony, roof terrace: Balcony on a bay window to make use of the view.
Garage, carport: Garage at basement/street level.
Garden for vegetables, greenhouse: Rather no.
Other wishes/special features/daily routines, reasons for preferences: Children’s rooms should be the largest and brightest rooms.

House design
Who created the plan:
- Planner from a construction company: <-
What do you particularly like? Why?: Large kitchen and the possibility to have the dining table near the kitchen. Attic dormer.
What do you not like? Why?: Wasted space. The feeling of a lot of useless area without it being particularly pleasant. The view is not sufficiently integrated into the architecture.
Price estimate by architect/planner: 462,000 Euro
Personal maximum budget for the house including equipment: 490,000 Euro