Hello,
unfortunately, my post simply disappeared again yesterday, so I’ll try my luck once more.
A brief introduction: I am 48, female, single, and based in northern Baden-Württemberg.
I’m still at the very beginning of my house-building planning but already own a plot of land, for which I will sign the purchase contract in the coming weeks.
I want a small, single-story house without a basement, with a small, low-maintenance garden and nothing fancy.
It is unclear whether another person might move in ever, so I don’t want to plan for that at this point.
Basically, it would depend on the cost what 10-15 m² (100-160 sq ft) more would mean, as my budget is naturally limited.
Room plan
Kitchen + Dining + Living + Work approx. 40 m² (430 sq ft)
Bedroom approx. 14 m² (150 sq ft)
Dressing room -
Work/Guest/Child room approx. 10 m² (110 sq ft) optional
Bathroom + WC approx. 7 m² (75 sq ft)
Hallway approx. 5 m² (55 sq ft)
Utility room approx. 8 m² (85 sq ft)
Guest WC -
Storage room -
Total approx. 75 - 85 m² (810 - 915 sq ft)
Questionnaire regarding the floor plan:
Attached are a section of the development plan and a rough drawing of the house (green), carport (blue) and patio (yellow) on the screenshot from Boris BW.
I have also attached my first attempts at floor plans (once with the entrance in the north and once in the east). I probably used the wrong tool for drafting, but I hope something can still be understood or used.
I look forward to constructive feedback.
Thank you in advance for your time.
unfortunately, my post simply disappeared again yesterday, so I’ll try my luck once more.
A brief introduction: I am 48, female, single, and based in northern Baden-Württemberg.
I’m still at the very beginning of my house-building planning but already own a plot of land, for which I will sign the purchase contract in the coming weeks.
I want a small, single-story house without a basement, with a small, low-maintenance garden and nothing fancy.
It is unclear whether another person might move in ever, so I don’t want to plan for that at this point.
Basically, it would depend on the cost what 10-15 m² (100-160 sq ft) more would mean, as my budget is naturally limited.
Room plan
Kitchen + Dining + Living + Work approx. 40 m² (430 sq ft)
Bedroom approx. 14 m² (150 sq ft)
Dressing room -
Work/Guest/Child room approx. 10 m² (110 sq ft) optional
Bathroom + WC approx. 7 m² (75 sq ft)
Hallway approx. 5 m² (55 sq ft)
Utility room approx. 8 m² (85 sq ft)
Guest WC -
Storage room -
Total approx. 75 - 85 m² (810 - 915 sq ft)
Questionnaire regarding the floor plan:
| Development plan / restrictions | |
| Plot size | 392 m² (4,220 sq ft) |
| Slope | North-south gradient approx. 1.5 m on 21 m (5 ft on 69 ft) |
| Site coverage ratio | 0.4 |
| Floor area ratio | 0.8 |
| Building envelope, building line and boundary | see development plan |
| Edge development | Setbacks according to open construction style |
| Number of parking spaces | 1.5 (rounded up) per dwelling unit, so 2 |
| Number of stories | II (two stories) |
| Roof type | Pitch 38–43°, half-hip roof or double shed roof |
| Architectural style | ? |
| Orientation | East-West |
| Maximum heights / limits | 8.5 m (28 ft) |
| Further requirements | Cistern of 4.5 m³ (160 cu ft) recommended Garage: with gable roof or green flat roof, carports? Filling allowed up to 1.8 m (6 ft) |
| Builder’s requirements | |
| Style, roof form, building type | Exemption from gable roof at 30°? Bungalow |
| Basement, number of floors | One story without basement |
| Number of people, age | see introduction |
| Space requirements on ground and upper floors | Ground floor 75-80 m² (810 - 860 sq ft) |
| Office: family use or home office? | Home office, integrated in living-dining area |
| Number of overnight guests per year | 0–1 |
| Open or closed architecture | ? |
| Traditional or modern construction style | ? |
| Open kitchen, kitchen island | Kitchen island with depth like regular kitchen cabinets, followed by dining table |
| Number of dining seats | max 4 |
| Fireplace | Undecided |
| Music / stereo wall | No |
| Balcony, roof terrace | No |
| Garage, carport | 1 carport, 1 parking space |
| Vegetable garden, greenhouse | No |
| Further wishes / special features / daily routine, including reasons why some things should be included or not | - No separate office for home office because I don’t want to spend most of the day in a smaller room but rather in the living room with a view of the garden - Retractable staircase to the attic (additional storage space) - Wall in bedroom for wardrobe at least 2.75 m (9 ft) long - Wall in living room at least 2.45 m (8 ft) long for lowboard with TV - Bathtub – uncertain if necessary - Larger shower 90 x 120 cm (36 x 47 inches) with tiled partition wall (avoid glass wall) |
| House design | |
| Who designed the plan: | DIY, based on floor plans from Hanse Haus and various other small house providers |
| What do you like? Why? | Open living-dining-working area in the southern part of the house, utility room not directly next to the bedroom (noise from technical equipment) |
| What do you dislike? Why? | Possibly the hallway / entrance area is rather small |
| Cost estimate according to architect / planner: | ? |
| Personal price limit for the house, incl. equipment: | 250,000–270,000 Euros (approx. 270,000–290,000 USD) turnkey, excluding foundation slab, earthworks, secondary building costs, furnishings, and landscaping |
| Preferred heating system: | Not yet decided, possibly underfloor heating |
| Other considerations | Maximum house length 11.5 m (38 ft) because plot width approx. 18 m (59 ft) minus carport 3 m (10 ft) minus setback 2.5 m (8 ft) minus 1 m (3 ft) buffer in case plot is shorter than 18 m (measured on Boris BW) Carport position could also be on the west side To maximize green space and deal with the slope: house with long side parallel to the street No preference yet regarding solid construction or timber frame, KfW 55 or 40 or X standard |
| Outdoor facilities | - Patio approx. 15 m² (160 sq ft) level with the house - Lawn may have slope - Carport with parking space in front |
| Earthworks | Southern boundary: retaining wall needed to manage slope, neighbors (right and left) have done this with 1.4 m (4.5 ft) L-shaped concrete blocks or hollow blocks, rough offer from earthworks company is available (wall, grading, compacting and preparations for foundation slab, foundation slab, patio and carport [= crane location], graveling, drainage, grounding ring, multi-utility lines, site setup etc. all together approx. 60,000 Euros) |
Attached are a section of the development plan and a rough drawing of the house (green), carport (blue) and patio (yellow) on the screenshot from Boris BW.
I have also attached my first attempts at floor plans (once with the entrance in the north and once in the east). I probably used the wrong tool for drafting, but I hope something can still be understood or used.
I look forward to constructive feedback.
Thank you in advance for your time.
Newbee-BW schrieb:
I really like that one too!Would it be worth it for you if I rearranged the last one horizontally, so that the kitchen and living area are more or less separated, like in the last layout?N
Newbee-BW10 Dec 2024 21:52@ypg yes, gladly, I would be very happy! I also made one and tried to incorporate some of your ideas.
Hehe, I’ll mark a few corrections for you.
The corrections mostly speak for themselves.
The front door should naturally open toward the hallway, not the wall. Move the utility room door so there is storage space behind it. This will actually create more usable space than a wrongly positioned door.
The hallway door should also open into the room, not outward. Plan the awkward corner in the utility room, not in the open living area.
Move the bedroom door away from the corner. If the wardrobe is hidden behind the door leaf, it creates a better entry experience and overall room feeling, instead of having to walk into the wardrobe.
The bed could become tight on the side. My bed was always 165cm (65 inches) wide here.
I would probably place the window on the west side rather than the north and then rotate the bed. That would give you more flexibility with two windows on the north side. The utility room could also have a window on the east side.
The windows will need to be changed anyway, since having one above the bathtub is inconvenient for ventilation and/or cleaning. Windows give a house its character!
Pay attention to the kitchen: I always planned for 3 tall cabinets for enough storage space or the option of a side-by-side refrigerator. Currently, there is only one tall cabinet shown.
The terrace will probably need a support pillar.
The corrections mostly speak for themselves.
The front door should naturally open toward the hallway, not the wall. Move the utility room door so there is storage space behind it. This will actually create more usable space than a wrongly positioned door.
The hallway door should also open into the room, not outward. Plan the awkward corner in the utility room, not in the open living area.
Move the bedroom door away from the corner. If the wardrobe is hidden behind the door leaf, it creates a better entry experience and overall room feeling, instead of having to walk into the wardrobe.
The bed could become tight on the side. My bed was always 165cm (65 inches) wide here.
I would probably place the window on the west side rather than the north and then rotate the bed. That would give you more flexibility with two windows on the north side. The utility room could also have a window on the east side.
The windows will need to be changed anyway, since having one above the bathtub is inconvenient for ventilation and/or cleaning. Windows give a house its character!
Pay attention to the kitchen: I always planned for 3 tall cabinets for enough storage space or the option of a side-by-side refrigerator. Currently, there is only one tall cabinet shown.
The terrace will probably need a support pillar.
N
Newbee-BW11 Dec 2024 10:18@ypg great - thanks!
My thoughts regarding the entrance door opening and the door to the open living area: I had positioned them that way so the door leaf could open more than 90 degrees. But that probably isn’t very practical.
I placed the bedroom door so that during the move, the long wardrobe pieces could be brought in more easily without hitting the corner of the bathroom. But you’re right about walking into the wardrobe — your suggestion looks better.
My bed is only 140 cm (55 inches) wide, so it should fit with the spaces on both sides. I placed the bed opposite a wall (in case I want to have a TV in the bedroom later and don’t want to look at a wardrobe).
And yes, windows are a topic on their own...
The kitchen with the dining area is still open regarding the best layout. Tall cabinets are great; let’s see how or if I can incorporate them.
Yes, I forgot to include that in the drawing.
My thoughts regarding the entrance door opening and the door to the open living area: I had positioned them that way so the door leaf could open more than 90 degrees. But that probably isn’t very practical.
I placed the bedroom door so that during the move, the long wardrobe pieces could be brought in more easily without hitting the corner of the bathroom. But you’re right about walking into the wardrobe — your suggestion looks better.
My bed is only 140 cm (55 inches) wide, so it should fit with the spaces on both sides. I placed the bed opposite a wall (in case I want to have a TV in the bedroom later and don’t want to look at a wardrobe).
And yes, windows are a topic on their own...
The kitchen with the dining area is still open regarding the best layout. Tall cabinets are great; let’s see how or if I can incorporate them.
ypg schrieb:
The terrace will probably need a pillar.
Yes, I forgot to include that in the drawing.
M
motorradsilke11 Dec 2024 10:33With a bungalow, you can also move furniture in and out through the windows when relocating.
Newbee-BW schrieb:
My thoughts regarding the opening of the front door and the door to the open-plan living area: I positioned them that way so the door leaf can open beyond 90 degrees.I would also adjust the doors, mainly because of moving furniture—I wouldn’t want to build it any other way and then always have to watch out. I would probably also consider not installing a door at all between the hallway and the open-plan living area, that’s how we have it here. Instead, I might put up a half-height wall with a wooden top or even a half-height, double-sided, nice shelf as a room divider instead of a full wall to the open-plan area; not least because otherwise it would be quite dark there.
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