ᐅ Single-family house – flat roof – edge of forest location – 175 sqm
Created on: 16 Feb 2019 22:03
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benediktr
After being a silent reader in this forum for a long time, I would now like to share my thoughts and ideas with you. I hope to receive some suggestions for improvement and constructive feedback.
Unfortunately, I cannot provide a site plan at the moment. Therefore, here is a screenshot of the property. I have roughly traced it on the ground floor plan. The exact orientation definitely needs further planning. It is plot number 51.
Below, I try to outline the essentials in the questionnaire.
Development plan/restrictions
Section 34 of the Building Code
Plot size
580 sqm (6,243 sq ft)
Slope
No direct slope; terrain descends about 3 m (10 ft) from north to south and roughly 3 m (10 ft) from west to east; retaining wall to the south present
Building setbacks
North/East/South – 3 m (10 ft), West – 6 m (20 ft)
Number of parking spaces
1-2
Number of floors
2 full stories plus basement
Roof type
Flat roof
Architectural style
Modern
Orientation
Southwest
Maximum heights/limits
-
Other specifications
Owners’ requirements
Room layout as shown in the plan; spacious living-dining-kitchen area
Style, roof type, building type
Flat roof
Number of occupants, ages
Currently 2 people, 28 and 26 years old; planning for 1-2 children
Room requirements on ground floor (GF) and upper floor (UF)
GF: living, dining, kitchen, utility room, WC
UF: bathroom, 2 children's rooms, bedroom plus walk-in closet
Office: family use or home office?
Family use
Guest overnight stays per year
Very seldom
Open or closed architecture
Open
Conservative or modern construction
Modern construction
Open kitchen, kitchen island
Yes
Number of dining seats
6
Fireplace
Corner fireplace
Music/stereo wall
No
Additional wishes/particularities/daily routine, including reasons for preferences
- Staircase from ground floor to upper floor should start in the dining area and not be visible from the living room
- Living room preferably on the west side, as we both work very long hours
House design
Who did the planning?
Do-it-yourself, using various floor plans as templates
What do you particularly like? Why?
Straight staircase, layout of living, dining, and kitchen areas, corner fireplace
What do you not like? Why?
I am unsure if the rooms upstairs might be a bit too narrow due to the straight staircase. This could be improved with a landing staircase, but that is just a minor point to accept.
Estimated cost according to architect/planner:
Personal budget limit for the house including fittings:
450,000
Preferred heating technology:
Gas condensing boiler, possibly with a water jacket in the fireplace
If you have to give up something, what details/features
- can you forgo? Partition separating the WC in the bathroom
- cannot you do without? Walk-in closet
Why did the design become what it is now?
Room orientation on the plot guided the design based on our wishes. View to the west, looking over forest and fields. Access from the north to avoid an outdoor staircase.
What do you think are its strengths or weaknesses?
We would prefer to avoid floor-to-ceiling windows on the south side, as the neighbor’s front door is there, which is not ideal for brightness. Large window fronts on the west side due to the view, as mentioned. A window in the walk-in closet could still be planned.
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
Do you think the upper floor rooms might feel "narrow and elongated"? Budget?
Unfortunately, I cannot provide a site plan at the moment. Therefore, here is a screenshot of the property. I have roughly traced it on the ground floor plan. The exact orientation definitely needs further planning. It is plot number 51.
Below, I try to outline the essentials in the questionnaire.
Development plan/restrictions
Section 34 of the Building Code
Plot size
580 sqm (6,243 sq ft)
Slope
No direct slope; terrain descends about 3 m (10 ft) from north to south and roughly 3 m (10 ft) from west to east; retaining wall to the south present
Building setbacks
North/East/South – 3 m (10 ft), West – 6 m (20 ft)
Number of parking spaces
1-2
Number of floors
2 full stories plus basement
Roof type
Flat roof
Architectural style
Modern
Orientation
Southwest
Maximum heights/limits
-
Other specifications
Owners’ requirements
Room layout as shown in the plan; spacious living-dining-kitchen area
Style, roof type, building type
Flat roof
Number of occupants, ages
Currently 2 people, 28 and 26 years old; planning for 1-2 children
Room requirements on ground floor (GF) and upper floor (UF)
GF: living, dining, kitchen, utility room, WC
UF: bathroom, 2 children's rooms, bedroom plus walk-in closet
Office: family use or home office?
Family use
Guest overnight stays per year
Very seldom
Open or closed architecture
Open
Conservative or modern construction
Modern construction
Open kitchen, kitchen island
Yes
Number of dining seats
6
Fireplace
Corner fireplace
Music/stereo wall
No
Additional wishes/particularities/daily routine, including reasons for preferences
- Staircase from ground floor to upper floor should start in the dining area and not be visible from the living room
- Living room preferably on the west side, as we both work very long hours
House design
Who did the planning?
Do-it-yourself, using various floor plans as templates
What do you particularly like? Why?
Straight staircase, layout of living, dining, and kitchen areas, corner fireplace
What do you not like? Why?
I am unsure if the rooms upstairs might be a bit too narrow due to the straight staircase. This could be improved with a landing staircase, but that is just a minor point to accept.
Estimated cost according to architect/planner:
Personal budget limit for the house including fittings:
450,000
Preferred heating technology:
Gas condensing boiler, possibly with a water jacket in the fireplace
If you have to give up something, what details/features
- can you forgo? Partition separating the WC in the bathroom
- cannot you do without? Walk-in closet
Why did the design become what it is now?
Room orientation on the plot guided the design based on our wishes. View to the west, looking over forest and fields. Access from the north to avoid an outdoor staircase.
What do you think are its strengths or weaknesses?
We would prefer to avoid floor-to-ceiling windows on the south side, as the neighbor’s front door is there, which is not ideal for brightness. Large window fronts on the west side due to the view, as mentioned. A window in the walk-in closet could still be planned.
What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan, summarized in 130 characters?
Do you think the upper floor rooms might feel "narrow and elongated"? Budget?
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benediktr22 May 2020 20:40Ibdk14 schrieb:
I like it too. But don’t you have a second shower in your house? Not wanted, not needed? Can you manage with only one full bathroom for possibly 4 people? We have been or were 5, and sometimes there was a bit of stress when everyone wanted to shower at the same time. Then you need to coordinate. It works, but it’s not exactly relaxed or comfortable. For us, it was clear from the start of the planning that we definitely didn’t want a separate children’s bathroom. We did consider a second shower in the guest WC but rejected it. We are aware that if we have two children, there will need to be some coordination, but we have also stayed as 5 or sometimes 6 people including my partner at my parents’ place. That worked too. If it really becomes a problem, the walls in the guest WC are drywall, so you can be quite flexible.
wrobel schrieb:
Hi,
even if I can’t fully explain why, I would prefer to locate the corner that extends into the garage in the workshop.
OlliI think the workshop is already big enough. The recess in the garage is meant to be used for the bicycles.
Ibdk14 schrieb:
Coordination is necessary in such cases. It can work, but it’s not exactly pleasant or relaxed. Coordination didn’t work out for us. It was always stressful, and as soon as someone was in the bathroom, there was knocking on the door. You never had any peace.
Best regards,
Sabine
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benediktr24 May 2020 12:54I need your help again. I have to position the Halox boxes in the precast concrete ceiling. I have read up on the topic, but I am still unsure.
For me, the wardrobe and hallway are fine as they are. Above the kitchen island, dining table, and coffee table, a pendant light is planned. In the living room, additional indirect lighting is planned using a shadow gap profile. I would also like to add some surface-mounted spotlights, but I can decide on that at a later stage.
Regarding the kitchen: I often read that recessed downlights should be placed near the edge of the countertop run. How does this work when there is a countertop run with an island opposite? Would it be better to plan for two rows?
@ypg: You already gave a tip, but I didn’t fully understand it. I’m grateful for any suggestion here.
For me, the wardrobe and hallway are fine as they are. Above the kitchen island, dining table, and coffee table, a pendant light is planned. In the living room, additional indirect lighting is planned using a shadow gap profile. I would also like to add some surface-mounted spotlights, but I can decide on that at a later stage.
Regarding the kitchen: I often read that recessed downlights should be placed near the edge of the countertop run. How does this work when there is a countertop run with an island opposite? Would it be better to plan for two rows?
@ypg: You already gave a tip, but I didn’t fully understand it. I’m grateful for any suggestion here.
I’m not a kitchen expert, but I think the countertops would be too dark. Above the kitchen island, I would increase to two pendant lights—unless there is a large crossbeam with many individual spotlights planned. For the countertop by the kitchen window, I would consider wall lamps—at least in the areas without a window. Is the kitchen layout already finalized? Otherwise, I find the spotlights and lamps sufficient. I would add more lighting to the staircase. We have a wall lamp at about halfway up the stairs, which we are very happy with. I should mention that I have a visual impairment, and my husband also prefers very bright lighting when he’s moving around and working.
Just a quick note, I basically don’t think it’s bad.
For the island, I would rather use two or three individual pendant lights.
For the kitchen, if you do it that way, keep in mind that your body will cast shadows on the countertop. Consider separate lighting for the work surface.
I’m not a big fan of spotlights in the living room. It’s a matter of taste, but I would prefer to work with wall sconces and floor or arc lamps.
Remember to consider lighting for the stairs, depending on what you plan for the upper floor.
For the island, I would rather use two or three individual pendant lights.
For the kitchen, if you do it that way, keep in mind that your body will cast shadows on the countertop. Consider separate lighting for the work surface.
I’m not a big fan of spotlights in the living room. It’s a matter of taste, but I would prefer to work with wall sconces and floor or arc lamps.
Remember to consider lighting for the stairs, depending on what you plan for the upper floor.
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benediktr24 May 2020 13:15kaho674 schrieb:
unless it is a large crossbeam with many individual spotlights planned. That is exactly the plan. But I believe posting links or images here isn’t allowed, right? That’s why there is only one ceiling outlet.
kaho674 schrieb:
Is the kitchen layout already finalized? We have the kitchen appointment in two weeks. Perhaps more precise planning should be done once that is confirmed.
The staircase will be illuminated with wall-mounted spotlights and additionally with a pendant light. That should be sufficient.
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