ᐅ Single-family house, 160 m² with basement, on a 500 m² plot of land
Created on: 9 Jun 2020 18:34
M
MurmelsteinM
Murmelstein9 Jun 2020 18:34Hi,
We have a 500m2 (5400 sq ft) plot where we would like to build.
We have now received the initial plans from our preferred construction company.
We need a basement because my wife and I both work from home, and we have three children who should each have their own room.
The attic is not really a good option due to the small dormer window and a building height limit of 9 meters (30 ft). The basement is quite expensive because of the clay soil, but in the end, we decided in favor of the basement, and the first financing simulations fit approximately a $680,000 build cost including additional construction expenses. The land is not included, of course.
I think the plans are already quite good, but I don’t have much expertise. A master bathroom was our request. The guest bathroom on the ground floor is there because we often have guests staying with us.
In my opinion, the pantry can be left out.
I planned the upstairs hallway once larger and once smaller to allow for a bigger children’s bathroom.
I miss the external staircase to the basement. If the stairs were on the right side, it would allow for "normal" windows in the basement offices. I have pointed this out. Also, the street runs roughly along the house from left to right and drops about one meter (3 ft).
I’m not sure about the layout of the "fitness" room; I think it might be structurally necessary. I want to bother the architect only once we are 100% sure we are going with this construction company.
What I generally don't like right now is that generic feel when looking at it, but the house is simply a standard two-story with a 30° pitched roof.
I would really like to know from your experience whether this covered terrace is a good idea or not.
Thanks in advance
We have a 500m2 (5400 sq ft) plot where we would like to build.
We have now received the initial plans from our preferred construction company.
We need a basement because my wife and I both work from home, and we have three children who should each have their own room.
The attic is not really a good option due to the small dormer window and a building height limit of 9 meters (30 ft). The basement is quite expensive because of the clay soil, but in the end, we decided in favor of the basement, and the first financing simulations fit approximately a $680,000 build cost including additional construction expenses. The land is not included, of course.
I think the plans are already quite good, but I don’t have much expertise. A master bathroom was our request. The guest bathroom on the ground floor is there because we often have guests staying with us.
In my opinion, the pantry can be left out.
I planned the upstairs hallway once larger and once smaller to allow for a bigger children’s bathroom.
I miss the external staircase to the basement. If the stairs were on the right side, it would allow for "normal" windows in the basement offices. I have pointed this out. Also, the street runs roughly along the house from left to right and drops about one meter (3 ft).
I’m not sure about the layout of the "fitness" room; I think it might be structurally necessary. I want to bother the architect only once we are 100% sure we are going with this construction company.
What I generally don't like right now is that generic feel when looking at it, but the house is simply a standard two-story with a 30° pitched roof.
I would really like to know from your experience whether this covered terrace is a good idea or not.
Thanks in advance
M
Murmelstein9 Jun 2020 19:38Sorry, this somehow got deleted:
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 500m2 (5382 sq ft)
Slope: drops 1 meter (3.3 feet) from left to right
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: ?
Building envelope, building line, and boundaries: marked on the plan
Setback from property edges: 3 meters (10 feet) on all sides
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2 full stories
Roof style: pitched roof 30–38°
Architectural style:
Orientation:
Maximum height limits: 9 meters (30 feet)
Additional conditions:
Requirements from the Homeowners
Architectural style, roof type, building type – we are quite simple here
Basement, number of floors: if all rooms can be accommodated well without a basement, then it’s not needed
Number of occupants, age: 2 adults and 3 children
Space needs on ground floor and upper floor: the rooms in the plan look quite good to me
Office: family use or home office? Both adults work from home
Overnight guests per year: every third weekend 3–4 guests
Open or closed architecture: undecided
Traditional or modern style: undecided
Open kitchen with island: kitchen island with 3 seats
Number of dining seats: 8
Fireplace: all construction consultants discouraged us from having one
House Design
Designer: planner from a construction company
What do we especially like? Space availability
What do we not like? no external access to the basement
Price estimate according to architect/planner: €680,000 including incidental building costs and outdoor areas
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings: €700,000
Preferred heating system: ground-source heat pump with cooling option
Why is the design as it is now? For example:
We wanted 3 children’s bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.
We wanted two separate offices and a hobby room for the family.
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 500m2 (5382 sq ft)
Slope: drops 1 meter (3.3 feet) from left to right
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: ?
Building envelope, building line, and boundaries: marked on the plan
Setback from property edges: 3 meters (10 feet) on all sides
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2 full stories
Roof style: pitched roof 30–38°
Architectural style:
Orientation:
Maximum height limits: 9 meters (30 feet)
Additional conditions:
Requirements from the Homeowners
Architectural style, roof type, building type – we are quite simple here
Basement, number of floors: if all rooms can be accommodated well without a basement, then it’s not needed
Number of occupants, age: 2 adults and 3 children
Space needs on ground floor and upper floor: the rooms in the plan look quite good to me
Office: family use or home office? Both adults work from home
Overnight guests per year: every third weekend 3–4 guests
Open or closed architecture: undecided
Traditional or modern style: undecided
Open kitchen with island: kitchen island with 3 seats
Number of dining seats: 8
Fireplace: all construction consultants discouraged us from having one
House Design
Designer: planner from a construction company
What do we especially like? Space availability
What do we not like? no external access to the basement
Price estimate according to architect/planner: €680,000 including incidental building costs and outdoor areas
Personal price limit for the house, including fittings: €700,000
Preferred heating system: ground-source heat pump with cooling option
Why is the design as it is now? For example:
We wanted 3 children’s bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.
We wanted two separate offices and a hobby room for the family.
Hello,
what is the purpose of the exterior stairs to the basement? Is it required for work? Otherwise, I don’t see any advantage—rather, it might be an opportunity for burglars.
I like the layout of the upper floor. The room arrangement fits the floor area well. I find the small children’s bathroom sufficient, but the hallway in front of it seems unnecessary. Maybe you could create a space for the washing machine there? I think it’s more practical to do laundry where the clothes are.
You mentioned wanting a shower on the ground floor for guests. But where would the guests sleep?
Why doesn’t the garage extend to the property line? I think it might be too narrow to store bikes inside, for example. Also, isn’t it the case that either building up to the boundary or maintaining a 3m (10 feet) setback is required? Although I might be mistaken.
I also like that you planned a cloakroom area, and that the living room is somewhat separated, creating a quiet zone.
what is the purpose of the exterior stairs to the basement? Is it required for work? Otherwise, I don’t see any advantage—rather, it might be an opportunity for burglars.
I like the layout of the upper floor. The room arrangement fits the floor area well. I find the small children’s bathroom sufficient, but the hallway in front of it seems unnecessary. Maybe you could create a space for the washing machine there? I think it’s more practical to do laundry where the clothes are.
You mentioned wanting a shower on the ground floor for guests. But where would the guests sleep?
Why doesn’t the garage extend to the property line? I think it might be too narrow to store bikes inside, for example. Also, isn’t it the case that either building up to the boundary or maintaining a 3m (10 feet) setback is required? Although I might be mistaken.
I also like that you planned a cloakroom area, and that the living room is somewhat separated, creating a quiet zone.
M
Murmelstein9 Jun 2020 19:58The garage is designed this way due to the height difference with the neighbor’s yard. But it can probably be changed.
I will ask the architect.
My wife wanted proper windows in the offices and the possibility to go outside directly with the laundry.
Guests are supposed to sleep in one of the offices or in the third basement room. There is no other place for a guest room.
I will ask the architect.
My wife wanted proper windows in the offices and the possibility to go outside directly with the laundry.
Guests are supposed to sleep in one of the offices or in the third basement room. There is no other place for a guest room.
Ok, I never dry laundry outside, so I can’t comment on that. But proper windows should be possible without stairs; there are nice pictures online showing recessed designs or similar solutions.
I just discovered the large laundry room in the basement, which is definitely an argument against having the washing machine upstairs. However, I would try to plan a laundry chute. Then you only have to carry the clean laundry upstairs, and downstairs you can sort everything nicely. For example, we have an Ikea shelving unit with pull-out wire baskets for that.
If guests sleep in the basement (which I’m totally fine with), having a shower room on the ground floor also makes sense.
I just discovered the large laundry room in the basement, which is definitely an argument against having the washing machine upstairs. However, I would try to plan a laundry chute. Then you only have to carry the clean laundry upstairs, and downstairs you can sort everything nicely. For example, we have an Ikea shelving unit with pull-out wire baskets for that.
If guests sleep in the basement (which I’m totally fine with), having a shower room on the ground floor also makes sense.
M
Murmelstein9 Jun 2020 20:17Yes, we still haven’t finalized the washing machine issue. Currently, it is located in the sleeping area and doesn’t bother anyone since we don’t spend time there during the day. So, there is space for it on the upper floor. Do you have a link to the excavations so I can take a look?
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