ᐅ Single-Family House on a Slope – Living Area on the Upper Floor, Open-Plan First Floor
Created on: 1 Apr 2026 13:34
B
Barnaby
Hello everyone,
we are planning a single-family house on a relatively steep slope (Northern Bavaria). An extension is mandatory, and the house shape is determined by the neighboring house.
The special feature is that we plan to live on the upper floor to have direct access to the terrace. Additionally, we want the upper floor to be open to the roof ridge—meaning no intermediate ceiling or attic space (no mezzanine, attic, etc.).
We really like the design. We are aware of the stairs (e.g., carrying groceries, etc.; water will come from a Quooker 😉...) but we still like the option of an upper-level terrace.
We have already received a turnkey offer from the general contractor, including our requests (parquet flooring, 4 m (13 ft) lift-and-slide door, 3 bathrooms) and exterior work, and we could start now. We are curious to hear what the professionals think, if there are any critical points we might have missed—we would build it like this!
Development plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 600 m2 (already owned)
Slope: yes, steep
Floor area ratio: 0.4 – 0.7
Floor space index: 0.47
Building window, building line, and boundary: determined by neighbor
Edge development: yes
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of stories: 2 main floors + basement
Roof type: gable roof
Style: modern
Orientation:
Maximum height/limitations: none
Other requirements:
Homeowners’ requirements
Style, roof type, building type: single-family house with gable roof
Basement: yes
Number of floors: 2
Number of people: 2 adults (mid-30s) + 2 small children
Space requirements on ground and upper floors
Office: 4 days home office
Overnight guests per year: few
Open or closed layout: open
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with kitchen block
Number of dining seats: 8–10
Fireplace: no
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: garage in basement
Utility garden, greenhouse: not currently, possibly later
House design
Origin of the design: based on existing floor plans from the internet + personal adjustments + adaptations with the general contractor’s planner
What do you particularly like? Why?
+ Open upper floor with high ceilings
+ Separate master suite
+ Separate children’s bathroom
What do you not like? ...mostly compromises we accept
- Rather tight space between the top of the stairs and entry on the ground floor
- Children’s bathroom without daylight
Price estimate according to architect/planner: offer from general contractor 750,000 including basement, incidental costs, fixtures, 100,000 for landscaping + groundworks
Personal price limit for the house, including features: 750,000
Preferred heating technology: heat pump
If you had to give up something, which details/extensions
- could you give up:
- could you not give up:
Why is the design the way it is?
The starting point was a found prefabricated house plan from the internet; we then swapped the ground and upper floors.
Other:
We will have a shaft prepared for an elevator (without the elevator). This will be left open in the floor slabs and will run from the garage → children’s bathroom → pantry upwards.
Thank you for your feedback
we are planning a single-family house on a relatively steep slope (Northern Bavaria). An extension is mandatory, and the house shape is determined by the neighboring house.
The special feature is that we plan to live on the upper floor to have direct access to the terrace. Additionally, we want the upper floor to be open to the roof ridge—meaning no intermediate ceiling or attic space (no mezzanine, attic, etc.).
We really like the design. We are aware of the stairs (e.g., carrying groceries, etc.; water will come from a Quooker 😉...) but we still like the option of an upper-level terrace.
We have already received a turnkey offer from the general contractor, including our requests (parquet flooring, 4 m (13 ft) lift-and-slide door, 3 bathrooms) and exterior work, and we could start now. We are curious to hear what the professionals think, if there are any critical points we might have missed—we would build it like this!
Development plan/Restrictions
Plot size: 600 m2 (already owned)
Slope: yes, steep
Floor area ratio: 0.4 – 0.7
Floor space index: 0.47
Building window, building line, and boundary: determined by neighbor
Edge development: yes
Number of parking spaces: 2
Number of stories: 2 main floors + basement
Roof type: gable roof
Style: modern
Orientation:
Maximum height/limitations: none
Other requirements:
Homeowners’ requirements
Style, roof type, building type: single-family house with gable roof
Basement: yes
Number of floors: 2
Number of people: 2 adults (mid-30s) + 2 small children
Space requirements on ground and upper floors
Office: 4 days home office
Overnight guests per year: few
Open or closed layout: open
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: open kitchen with kitchen block
Number of dining seats: 8–10
Fireplace: no
Music/stereo wall: no
Balcony, roof terrace: no
Garage, carport: garage in basement
Utility garden, greenhouse: not currently, possibly later
House design
Origin of the design: based on existing floor plans from the internet + personal adjustments + adaptations with the general contractor’s planner
What do you particularly like? Why?
+ Open upper floor with high ceilings
+ Separate master suite
+ Separate children’s bathroom
What do you not like? ...mostly compromises we accept
- Rather tight space between the top of the stairs and entry on the ground floor
- Children’s bathroom without daylight
Price estimate according to architect/planner: offer from general contractor 750,000 including basement, incidental costs, fixtures, 100,000 for landscaping + groundworks
Personal price limit for the house, including features: 750,000
Preferred heating technology: heat pump
If you had to give up something, which details/extensions
- could you give up:
- could you not give up:
Why is the design the way it is?
The starting point was a found prefabricated house plan from the internet; we then swapped the ground and upper floors.
Other:
We will have a shaft prepared for an elevator (without the elevator). This will be left open in the floor slabs and will run from the garage → children’s bathroom → pantry upwards.
Thank you for your feedback
H
hanghaus20232 Apr 2026 10:08The neighbor does not have a gable roof house. It looks like a staggered shed roof.
H
hanghaus20232 Apr 2026 10:15ypg schrieb:
This is subject to neighbor law in the context of semi-detached housing. I agree. That’s why I have doubts whether the building authority will approve the plan.I see the costs skyrocketing! 1 million is definitely possible here.
H
hanghaus20232 Apr 2026 10:18ypg schrieb:
However, I also notice that in the basement utility room and the ground floor master bathroom, a window well is planned in each case, but these are limited by the design of the terraces (ground floor bedroom and upper floor kitchen). I also see some pointless solutions there.ypg schrieb:
There is no need for a simulation to show that the neighbor’s light will be significantly impacted. Quick and dirty sketch done briefly.
H
hanghaus20232 Apr 2026 10:47To somehow stay within the budget, build an extension onto the neighbor’s house. Keep the terrace at the same level. That should also be approvable under local building regulations/planning permission. Basement + ground floor + upper floor, no more is feasible. What was possible to build 30 years ago for a fraction of the cost can be seen in the neighbor’s house.