ᐅ Single-family Home on a North-facing Slope – Request for Opinions and Advice on Orientation
Created on: 23 Nov 2009 15:13
A
Azalee
Hello, forum,
In spring/summer, I already received some nice and helpful answers here regarding questions about house planning. At that time, I still thought we were sure about our plot of land. Somehow, doubts crept in again; we looked at many other plots, let the whole thing rest for a while, and finally decided to make a completely rational selection again about what we want, to what extent "our" plot meets that, and which compromises we have to make.
The result is that the plot we had chosen is the best option in our area for us, but I don’t want to make such a decision based purely on rational grounds—I also want to be fully emotionally committed to it. This means that when buying the plot, we should already know what kind of personal “dream house” we want to build on it. Well, that’s what we are working on right now.
Compared to the planning from a few months ago, some things have changed; many, of course, have stayed the same.
Here are some floor plans of the ground floor. It will be a single-family house, one and a half stories, fully basemented with level access to the northern rooms in the basement. One problem—and I’ll start with that—is that the home office on the ground floor should, if possible, have a west-facing window without the living room losing its panoramic view to the north (the hillside side). And that’s not easy... *sigh*
A brief orientation: below is north (I know, unusual, but that's looking “up” the hill); the plot is on a north-facing slope with roughly 3-4m (10-13 feet) elevation difference over 30m (100 feet) (the surroundings are less steep) and measures about 25x30m (82x100 feet). The street runs at the top to the south; the view to the west is relatively open, otherwise the surroundings are or will be developed.
We hope to build the house slightly below street level (about 1m (3 feet)) so that it doesn’t stand out like it’s on a “showcase.” Then a hedge will take care of the rest.
Regarding option 1: basically our oldest, though revised, plan: kitchen facing the street, next to it on the south side the dining area, and further south and west the living area. This shifts the home office to the northeast.
Option 2: very different; the entrance is on the north and would need to be reached via a surrounding “balcony.” No idea what our architect would say about that, but before we discuss feasibility with him and commission him and the builder, we would like to have a clear idea.
The home office is nicely positioned in the northwest, but unfortunately the great view from the living room down the slope is gone, partially compensated by the view from the conservatory.
Option 3: here, two corners are added so that the living room still has a north-facing window despite the west-facing home office. It’s no longer a true panorama, but maybe a compromise. The front door remains on the east side facing the street.
Thank you very much for your help!
Christiane
In spring/summer, I already received some nice and helpful answers here regarding questions about house planning. At that time, I still thought we were sure about our plot of land. Somehow, doubts crept in again; we looked at many other plots, let the whole thing rest for a while, and finally decided to make a completely rational selection again about what we want, to what extent "our" plot meets that, and which compromises we have to make.
The result is that the plot we had chosen is the best option in our area for us, but I don’t want to make such a decision based purely on rational grounds—I also want to be fully emotionally committed to it. This means that when buying the plot, we should already know what kind of personal “dream house” we want to build on it. Well, that’s what we are working on right now.
Compared to the planning from a few months ago, some things have changed; many, of course, have stayed the same.
Here are some floor plans of the ground floor. It will be a single-family house, one and a half stories, fully basemented with level access to the northern rooms in the basement. One problem—and I’ll start with that—is that the home office on the ground floor should, if possible, have a west-facing window without the living room losing its panoramic view to the north (the hillside side). And that’s not easy... *sigh*
A brief orientation: below is north (I know, unusual, but that's looking “up” the hill); the plot is on a north-facing slope with roughly 3-4m (10-13 feet) elevation difference over 30m (100 feet) (the surroundings are less steep) and measures about 25x30m (82x100 feet). The street runs at the top to the south; the view to the west is relatively open, otherwise the surroundings are or will be developed.
We hope to build the house slightly below street level (about 1m (3 feet)) so that it doesn’t stand out like it’s on a “showcase.” Then a hedge will take care of the rest.
Regarding option 1: basically our oldest, though revised, plan: kitchen facing the street, next to it on the south side the dining area, and further south and west the living area. This shifts the home office to the northeast.
Option 2: very different; the entrance is on the north and would need to be reached via a surrounding “balcony.” No idea what our architect would say about that, but before we discuss feasibility with him and commission him and the builder, we would like to have a clear idea.
The home office is nicely positioned in the northwest, but unfortunately the great view from the living room down the slope is gone, partially compensated by the view from the conservatory.
Option 3: here, two corners are added so that the living room still has a north-facing window despite the west-facing home office. It’s no longer a true panorama, but maybe a compromise. The front door remains on the east side facing the street.
Thank you very much for your help!
Christiane
Oops, you’ve been working on this for quite a while, since KfW40 is already a thing of the past.
I’m also considering the ground floor; I think an office near the “living hub” makes more sense for you as well.
Regarding the desk, natural light should ideally come from a 90° angle onto your face or monitor. The window area should be at least 10% of the room’s floor area (consider possible distractions).
The basement doesn’t necessarily have to follow the bay window. Of course, this affects the costs, as well as the energy efficiency.
Best regards
I’m also considering the ground floor; I think an office near the “living hub” makes more sense for you as well.
Regarding the desk, natural light should ideally come from a 90° angle onto your face or monitor. The window area should be at least 10% of the room’s floor area (consider possible distractions).
The basement doesn’t necessarily have to follow the bay window. Of course, this affects the costs, as well as the energy efficiency.
Best regards
6
6Richtige25 Nov 2009 22:30Hello Azalee,
in my opinion, this plot is not very suitable; it’s better to look for a proper one. Having the living area facing north is not ideal, and a terrace facing the street is also not recommended. If you plan the house lower than the street level, you will have problems with surface water, so it’s better to design the site with a slope towards the street. This, however, will result in higher foundation and backfill costs for the basement.
So either continue planning with a very good architect or look for a different plot.
in my opinion, this plot is not very suitable; it’s better to look for a proper one. Having the living area facing north is not ideal, and a terrace facing the street is also not recommended. If you plan the house lower than the street level, you will have problems with surface water, so it’s better to design the site with a slope towards the street. This, however, will result in higher foundation and backfill costs for the basement.
So either continue planning with a very good architect or look for a different plot.
So either continue planning with a very skilled architect or look for a different plot of land. Thank you, I wasn’t exactly willing to say that when I saw the floor plans.My first thought was to consider a split-level design, which should work well with the slope. This way, the window front could face nicely north, while the other rooms could act as a buffer zone towards the north side. Additionally, the office could have a “partially protected” character, depending on how you arrange it. A balcony could be oriented towards the southwest side.
It could even turn into a nice architectural design. You can still get sunlight from the south side without having to open the house fully in that direction.
But of course, I didn’t say anything without even knowing the local building regulations or planning permission.
Best regards
6
6Richtige26 Nov 2009 19:44Hi parcus,
By now, you’re probably used to my way of calling things as they are. Here, an architect will definitely spend at least three times the planning time compared to a “normal” plot. I’ve also considered staggered levels, but we don’t know the budget yet. If Azalee has a budget of about 450,000 (without land costs) for the house with a basement (around 300 m² (3,230 sq ft) of living and usable space) plus a garage with a carport, then the dream house might still be achievable.
By now, you’re probably used to my way of calling things as they are. Here, an architect will definitely spend at least three times the planning time compared to a “normal” plot. I’ve also considered staggered levels, but we don’t know the budget yet. If Azalee has a budget of about 450,000 (without land costs) for the house with a basement (around 300 m² (3,230 sq ft) of living and usable space) plus a garage with a carport, then the dream house might still be achievable.
Hi 6Richtige,
there are simply too many unknown factors involved, which is why preliminary planning with cost estimation is essential.
Many don’t realize that the actual building permit / planning permission design for a custom house is usually much more affordable for a good reason, as the main work is done beforehand.
Unfortunately, the focus is often placed too early on the construction details, without having a well-thought-out plan in place.
But that is just my personal opinion.
there are simply too many unknown factors involved, which is why preliminary planning with cost estimation is essential.
Many don’t realize that the actual building permit / planning permission design for a custom house is usually much more affordable for a good reason, as the main work is done beforehand.
Unfortunately, the focus is often placed too early on the construction details, without having a well-thought-out plan in place.
But that is just my personal opinion.
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