ᐅ Single-Family House on a South-Facing Slope Floor Plan – Request for Feedback
Created on: 18 May 2021 15:35
E
EFH-Sued-Hang
Hello everyone, after a lot of tinkering, we would really appreciate some feedback on our floor plan ☺️
Development Plan / Restrictions
This is a new residential area.
Plot size approx. 700 sqm (8,000 sq ft)
South-facing slope with access from the north and a nice view towards the south
2 parking spaces per housing unit: 2 in the carport, 2 in front of the house parallel to the street
Floor area ratio, gross floor area ratio, and other regulations are quite generous in the development plan and have been taken into account in the design
Homeowners’ Requirements
Timber frame construction with a shallow pitched roof
Currently 2 adults (32 years old) and 1 child (1 year old), with 1-2 more children planned in the future
Rooms:
Special features:
House Design
Mainly own planning
Collaboration with a construction company and an architect
Initially, it is important for us to create our dream floor plan. Roughly, the price given to us is around 540,000 €.
KfW40+ standard with 10 kWP photovoltaic system and 10 kWh battery
Heating & ventilation:
• Air-source heat pump
• Central ventilation system with possible enthalpy heat exchanger
• Underfloor heating (except in the pantry, possibly with cooling option)
Other:
• Probably a basic Loxone smart home system
• Possibly a water softening system
• Possibly ceiling LED lighting in rooms without visible roof structure
Why did the design turn out this way?
Due to the slope, we want the living and common rooms on the ground floor (= upper level), plus two additional rooms. Because the ground floor is above the second level (the basement) due to the slope, the basement necessarily has to be the same size. Alternatively, you would need a cantilevered upper floor, which is probably extremely expensive.
The extra area in the basement that we don’t need as living space is located partly in the slope, so it basically functions as a cellar.
What is the most important basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
What do you think about the room layout? Is there anything you see negatively or would change?
What do you think about the room sizes?
Will the south orientation and many windows make it too warm in summer?
We look forward to your ideas, thoughts, and tips!
Development Plan / Restrictions
This is a new residential area.
Plot size approx. 700 sqm (8,000 sq ft)
South-facing slope with access from the north and a nice view towards the south
2 parking spaces per housing unit: 2 in the carport, 2 in front of the house parallel to the street
Floor area ratio, gross floor area ratio, and other regulations are quite generous in the development plan and have been taken into account in the design
Homeowners’ Requirements
Timber frame construction with a shallow pitched roof
Currently 2 adults (32 years old) and 1 child (1 year old), with 1-2 more children planned in the future
Rooms:
- Open living-dining-kitchen area
- 5 (almost) equally sized rooms to be used flexibly as parents’ bedroom, children’s rooms, office, home office, or rental units as a granny flat
- Family bathroom (including washing machine and dryer)
- Children’s bathroom (alternatively as a bathroom for the granny flat)
- Guest toilet (including utility sink)
- Pantry / storage room
- Storage including technical room
- Carport with bicycle shed and partial basement (used as garden shed)
- Balcony
Special features:
- Ground floor = living space, due to the nice view
- Basement = partly cellar, partly regular rooms facing the garden (possible due to the slope)
- Open roof structure over the large living-dining area
- Intermediate ceiling with attic over the other rooms on the ground floor
- Window seats in the living-dining area and possibly in rooms in the basement
- Barrier-reduced design
- Direct, level, covered entrance from the carport into the house
- Generous balcony → How would you recommend shading the balcony so it’s comfortable in high summer, but also usable in breezy and rainy spring weather, while still feeling like being outside (no conservatory)?
- We have purposely omitted a utility room
- Currently, we have planned external venetian blinds (Raffstores) on all windows. Since the two children’s rooms in the basement face south, shading will be necessary there. Do you find external venetian blinds suitable for bedrooms?
- We have not planned any skylights so far, as they are said to require more maintenance. Would you still consider using skylights?
- Due to the layout in the basement, one room—or with an added partition wall, two or even three rooms—could be rented out.
House Design
Mainly own planning
Collaboration with a construction company and an architect
- We really like the room layout and floor plan on the ground floor—what do you think?
- We still need to move a few walls in the basement, but we already like the layout as it is. Your thoughts?
- We oriented the house towards the south. Will it be too warm in summer?
- We have planned many windows (only a few of which open). → Would you recommend fewer windows? (due to heat in summer, view from neighbors)
→ Is it enough if only a few windows can be opened in each room?
Initially, it is important for us to create our dream floor plan. Roughly, the price given to us is around 540,000 €.
KfW40+ standard with 10 kWP photovoltaic system and 10 kWh battery
Heating & ventilation:
• Air-source heat pump
• Central ventilation system with possible enthalpy heat exchanger
• Underfloor heating (except in the pantry, possibly with cooling option)
Other:
• Probably a basic Loxone smart home system
• Possibly a water softening system
• Possibly ceiling LED lighting in rooms without visible roof structure
Why did the design turn out this way?
Due to the slope, we want the living and common rooms on the ground floor (= upper level), plus two additional rooms. Because the ground floor is above the second level (the basement) due to the slope, the basement necessarily has to be the same size. Alternatively, you would need a cantilevered upper floor, which is probably extremely expensive.
The extra area in the basement that we don’t need as living space is located partly in the slope, so it basically functions as a cellar.
What is the most important basic question about the floor plan in 130 characters?
What do you think about the room layout? Is there anything you see negatively or would change?
What do you think about the room sizes?
Will the south orientation and many windows make it too warm in summer?
We look forward to your ideas, thoughts, and tips!
M
Myrna_Loy18 May 2021 16:34Does no one need floor space for shelves and cabinets anymore? When I look into the children's room, there is a desk, a wardrobe, and a large bookcase, plus another big cabinet for games, along with a shelf with boxes for Lego and similar items... I also have bookshelves and cabinets for crafts, small electronics, vinyl records, and so on. In the bedroom, there is storage for bedding, towels, and more. With so many windows, I see very little storage space for things you don’t want to keep in the basement or attic. I also really don’t like the floor plan.
M
Myrna_Loy18 May 2021 16:40In terms of price, considering the many expensive requests, I see it more likely above 700,000. For our roof structure, we were quoted an additional cost of about 35% for an exposed roof structure. Possibly even more, depending on the desired wood quality.
H
hanghaus200018 May 2021 16:51That can be done much better and more efficiently without losing generosity.
Guest toilet in the basement? The pantry was already mentioned.
I’m not sure which architectural style this belongs to.
Could you please upload the site plan?
Guest toilet in the basement? The pantry was already mentioned.
I’m not sure which architectural style this belongs to.
Could you please upload the site plan?
H
hampshire18 May 2021 17:19Myrna_Loy schrieb:
Does nobody need floor space for shelves and cabinets anymore?You always need the space you have. The more cabinets and shelves there are, the more stuff you have that you consider irreplaceable. When we moved, we left behind about 70% of our belongings and didn’t miss anything. We live here by the principle of "less is more" without being minimalists. We manage to keep things organized better (which was a big challenge for 28 years) and feel more comfortable.This also applies to children’s rooms: the more storage space there is, the more clutter gets accumulated. I find focusing on true favorite items and activities much more valuable than an eclectic mix of random stuff gifted by various relatives, which often overwhelms choices and stifles imagination.
On 12 square meters (130 square feet) of rectangular space, you can accommodate everything that is really needed. For teenagers who like to have friends over in their rooms, it might be tight but certainly not a terrible fate. Since the overall room size is balanced and the children don’t get fewer square meters than the parents’ spa area, I find that perfectly acceptable.
I believe that storage space is definitely necessary. I'm not some Montessori eco helicopter parent, but the way Montessori designs children’s rooms and arranges toys and books requires space—not money. Books are displayed with the covers facing forward, puzzles aren’t stacked, everything is at child height. An 8-compartment Kallax unit can hold 8 games/puzzles/boxes with Lego, plus 8 to 10 books on top. Normally, people just have 2 or at most 3 compartments.
There’s a big difference between an 8-compartment Kallax laid flat and a 3-compartment one standing upright.
Then there’s all the craft stuff and those endless sticker and coloring books. Why does everyone carry around these books?
Next August, it looks like a large box will go to kindergarten.
There’s a big difference between an 8-compartment Kallax laid flat and a 3-compartment one standing upright.
Then there’s all the craft stuff and those endless sticker and coloring books. Why does everyone carry around these books?
Next August, it looks like a large box will go to kindergarten.
M
Myrna_Loy18 May 2021 18:14Well, some apartments and houses have about as much personality as a hotel room. We also have quite a bit of artwork – and a painting simply needs a wall.
As a minimalist, I’m also glad to have windowsills for a few potted plants.
As a minimalist, I’m also glad to have windowsills for a few potted plants.
hampshire schrieb:
You always need to make the most of the space you have. The more cabinets and shelves you have, the more stuff you end up with that you consider irreplaceable. When we moved, we left behind about 70% of our belongings and didn’t miss anything. We live by the “less is more” principle without being strict minimalists. We manage to keep things more organized now (which was a big challenge for 28 years) and feel more comfortable.
This also applies to children’s rooms: the more storage you provide, the more clutter piles up. Focusing on real favorite items and activities is much more valuable than an eclectic collection of solitary items given by various relatives, which overwhelms kids with choices and takes away room for imagination.
You can fit everything that’s beneficial into 12 square meters (about 129 square feet). For teenagers who like to have friends over, it is a bit tight but certainly not a cruel fate. Since the overall space is balanced and the children don’t have fewer square meters than the parents’ spa area, I find this perfectly acceptable.
Similar topics