ᐅ Single-family home construction project on a sloped site – options for slope stabilization

Hello dear house building forum,

we have purchased a plot of land in Bavaria. The plot is 590 sqm (6351 sq ft) and is located on a slope.

Now we face the big challenge of how to support the slope.

We have the following height difference:

Top left is basically the zero point.

West---------North------------East
(0.00) --------- (0.20) ------------ (-1.40)

(-1.80)------------------------------(-2.90)

-------------Street side -----------

Our structural engineer said that we need an L-shaped retaining wall of about 0.80 meters (2.6 feet) at the back and about 2 meters (6.6 feet) at the front. He estimates costs of around €60,000 coming our way.

Do you have any ideas on how to make this more cost-effective?

Thank you in advance.

blockschrift7 schrieb:

West---------North------------East
(0.00) --------- (0.20) ------------ (-1.40)
(-1.80)------------------------------(-2.90)
-------------Street side -----------

The elevation differences within the building plot boundaries are usually not as critical as those across the entire property. You only mention the valley side as the street side – is a) there a street only on the valley side, and b) does the property border the street along its entire southern edge?
There are generally smarter solutions than trying to “tame” or contain the property with retaining walls: for example, living areas in the basement and/or a split-level design. Also, making the building structure more flexible by avoiding rigid connections between parts (for example, it’s better to have an attractive house rather than insisting on a direct door connection between the house and garage) can work wonders. A freelance architect usually comes up with better ideas for hillside construction than someone who “just follows orders,” so this aspect can definitely be improved. It’s best if you provide more information: photos of the property and a site plan with dimensions and more height details, especially within the building plot boundaries, plus the completed questionnaire from the top of the floor plan section concerning you and the planned construction. Oh, and don’t be too sparse with details from the zoning plan / building permit conditions either.

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

Hello, thank you very much for the quick response.

a) Yes, there is a road only on the valley side; to the north, there is another house.
b) The entire southern edge borders the road.

Here are some additional details:

Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 591 sqm (6359 sq ft)
Slope: yes, sloped site
Development plan: none available (Section 34)
Edge development: no
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of floors: 2 + basement
Roof type: flat roof
Architectural style: Bauhaus
Orientation: south

blockschrift7 schrieb:

We need an L-shaped retaining wall approximately 0.80 meter (2.6 feet) high and about 2 meters (6.6 feet) long in the front. He estimates the cost for this at around €60,000, which we would have to cover.

Do you have any ideas on how to reduce the costs?

I always recommend taking a look at the neighborhood. You can see how others have managed the slope in that area. I don’t think you’ll find many retaining walls that are as high as 2 meters (6.6 feet).

You can also leave part of the slope as is. Or add two or three steps near the terrace and entrance, and keep the lawn area uneven as well.

Addendum: Is the elevation change really as linear as the architect’s sketch suggests?

Thank you for your feedback.
From when do I actually need retaining walls? Or rather, when do I have to support the slope?

Yes, I do think it is that linear. Why do you ask? 🙂

blockschrift7 schrieb:

Development plan: none available (Paragraph 34)
Number of floors: 2 + basement
Roof type: flat roof
Architectural style: Bauhaus

From the images, it seems quite clear for §34: no flat roof, no Bauhaus style, and no two full stories.
I also notice a paved driveway, which could indicate a previous building whose appearance should still be investigated. Check the old building records to see what kind of house was there before.
By the way, nothing there looks linear; it is more gently curved and low-profile.

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/