ᐅ Renovation of an Older Building: Experiences with Floor Plan Layout
Created on: 27 Oct 2024 21:30
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Bikerin91
Hello from the north,
we are now the proud owners of a house built in 1959 with a living area of about 100 sqm (1,076 sq ft). The house has been in the family and holds a lot of sentimental value to me. Therefore, I would prefer not to demolish and rebuild but to modernize it. The house was originally designed by an architect.
So far, a structural engineer and an energy consultant have visited. The structural engineer was called because I would like to remove the wall on the ground floor (number 3 on the floor plan is the kitchen) to create a large open-plan kitchen and living area. However, it is currently load-bearing, and significant costs are expected because the steel beam would also require supports on both sides. Additionally, 50 cm (20 inches) on each side of the walls cannot be demolished. The energy consultant will send me the renovation roadmap in the coming days. At the moment, there is an oil heating system (23 years old, made by Viessmann). I would like to switch directly to a heat pump and photovoltaic system. On the first floor, room 9 no longer exists because the wall was removed, but we would likely put a wall back there.
Neither of us has extensive knowledge, but I learn quickly and with interest. This post is meant as a form of support since we are unsure how best to divide the spaces.
Another point: On the first floor, each room has knee walls (dormers), which I would like to remove as they take up a considerable amount of space. These are also marked on the floor plan. The house is partially basemented. The basement area starts at number 5, covering half of the living room toward the garden. There is no basement under the kitchen.
What do you think? How would you arrange the rooms? I was considering creating a large open-plan kitchen at number 5 left and then planning a utility room in the current kitchen area. For the future, two children's rooms should be planned, although one room is enough for now since life often has other plans 🙂. I’m also not very happy with the hallway and entrance area yet, but after many hours on YouTube, at exhibitions, etc., we’re a bit stuck.
I look forward to your ideas and discussion.
Best regards,
Anni
we are now the proud owners of a house built in 1959 with a living area of about 100 sqm (1,076 sq ft). The house has been in the family and holds a lot of sentimental value to me. Therefore, I would prefer not to demolish and rebuild but to modernize it. The house was originally designed by an architect.
So far, a structural engineer and an energy consultant have visited. The structural engineer was called because I would like to remove the wall on the ground floor (number 3 on the floor plan is the kitchen) to create a large open-plan kitchen and living area. However, it is currently load-bearing, and significant costs are expected because the steel beam would also require supports on both sides. Additionally, 50 cm (20 inches) on each side of the walls cannot be demolished. The energy consultant will send me the renovation roadmap in the coming days. At the moment, there is an oil heating system (23 years old, made by Viessmann). I would like to switch directly to a heat pump and photovoltaic system. On the first floor, room 9 no longer exists because the wall was removed, but we would likely put a wall back there.
Neither of us has extensive knowledge, but I learn quickly and with interest. This post is meant as a form of support since we are unsure how best to divide the spaces.
Another point: On the first floor, each room has knee walls (dormers), which I would like to remove as they take up a considerable amount of space. These are also marked on the floor plan. The house is partially basemented. The basement area starts at number 5, covering half of the living room toward the garden. There is no basement under the kitchen.
What do you think? How would you arrange the rooms? I was considering creating a large open-plan kitchen at number 5 left and then planning a utility room in the current kitchen area. For the future, two children's rooms should be planned, although one room is enough for now since life often has other plans 🙂. I’m also not very happy with the hallway and entrance area yet, but after many hours on YouTube, at exhibitions, etc., we’re a bit stuck.
I look forward to your ideas and discussion.
Best regards,
Anni
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Bikerin9129 Oct 2024 17:10and here is the site plan of the property. North is at the bottom by the curb with the hedge. The garden is fully south-facing, which is why the idea of installing a photovoltaic system was considered
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Bikerin9129 Oct 2024 17:11I can take a photo of the structural calculations tomorrow. However, he also explained it to me. It sounded reasonable, so I’ll be happy to share the pictures of the structural plans with you.
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Bikerin9131 Oct 2024 12:49Hello,
here is an excerpt from the structural analysis. According to the structural engineer, the wall between the kitchen and the living room is load-bearing. But as I said, I’m not an expert (in picture number 1, the kitchen is shown).
I am also attaching photos of the current condition as well as pictures of the knee walls. These knee walls are present in every room on the upper floor. I would really like to remove them, but the question is whether they are also load-bearing. Do you need any more pictures or information?
Thank you very much in advance for your input.
here is an excerpt from the structural analysis. According to the structural engineer, the wall between the kitchen and the living room is load-bearing. But as I said, I’m not an expert (in picture number 1, the kitchen is shown).
I am also attaching photos of the current condition as well as pictures of the knee walls. These knee walls are present in every room on the upper floor. I would really like to remove them, but the question is whether they are also load-bearing. Do you need any more pictures or information?
Thank you very much in advance for your input.
Bikerin91 schrieb:
I’m also attaching pictures of the current condition and the images of the knee walls. These are present in every room on the upper floor. I would really like to remove them, but the question is whether they are load-bearing. Do you need more pictures or information? Sections would be helpful as well. Also, please mark on the floor plan where each photo was taken and the direction of the view for the knee walls.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
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hanghaus202331 Oct 2024 18:18I would only make one opening in the wall. Then install a countertop 1.2 m (4 feet) long. In the kitchen, add wall cabinets.
In the attic, in my opinion, some sections of the knee wall can be removed. Not all walls provide bracing. The roof has already been insulated.
In the attic, in my opinion, some sections of the knee wall can be removed. Not all walls provide bracing. The roof has already been insulated.
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Bikerin9131 Oct 2024 18:30Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any cross-sections, but I’m also not entirely sure what exactly you mean by that. I searched for these views online, but so far I don’t see them in the documents.
Regarding the knee walls, I have marked them on the first floor plan:
So, there are these knee walls in every room. The photo above is from room number 7 and shows a view turning to the right. My concern is to remove the wall on the left and also the one next to the window. You can see two photos of the knee wall adjacent to room number 7, and I would like to remove these two walls to gain more living space. These knee walls exist in every room upstairs. My idea is to install more windows to make the whole area brighter.
Regarding the knee walls, I have marked them on the first floor plan:
So, there are these knee walls in every room. The photo above is from room number 7 and shows a view turning to the right. My concern is to remove the wall on the left and also the one next to the window. You can see two photos of the knee wall adjacent to room number 7, and I would like to remove these two walls to gain more living space. These knee walls exist in every room upstairs. My idea is to install more windows to make the whole area brighter.
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