... at least that’s what the architects say in a building forum! However, I’m not sure if it’s just professional envy?! ... because I’ve also heard the opposite from friends. Mainly, they criticized the roof design, which is a standard model from our architect and often sold.
Dear forum members,
I would appreciate your feedback. All ideas and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
There are two of us and we plan to stay that way! We are designing a 1.5-story single-family house. The dimensions are 10.64 m x 10.94 m (35 ft x 36 ft) with a staggered gable roof. The lower roof has a 28-degree pitch, the higher one, under which the upper floor is located, has a 26-degree pitch with a 120 cm (47 inch) knee wall. The building is a typical model from the architect, but the floor plan can be freely designed. Windows are also not fixed.
Some explanations:
On the ground floor, there is a walk-in shower in the bathroom (the elongated one). The kitchen features a strip of windows. It is a large area with a big table and a counter.
What concerns me a bit is the bathroom: no shower is planned here intentionally, since we already have one on the ground floor. Still, perhaps we should consider a shower option in the bathtub?! I didn’t want a sloped bathtub, but rather a washbasin on a countertop that is somewhat longer. The line indicates the room height of 2 meters (6 ft 7 in).
Unfortunately, I cannot produce cross sections, so here are views from two compass directions.
In the entrance area, a small wardrobe is planned. Additionally, when guests come, all the coats and shoes should be stored in a closet (easy to access) in the study, since this room is rarely used anyway (until we can no longer manage the stairs due to age ;-))
A basement is not planned.
I look forward to your criticism and suggestions!
Yvonne
Dear forum members,
I would appreciate your feedback. All ideas and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
There are two of us and we plan to stay that way! We are designing a 1.5-story single-family house. The dimensions are 10.64 m x 10.94 m (35 ft x 36 ft) with a staggered gable roof. The lower roof has a 28-degree pitch, the higher one, under which the upper floor is located, has a 26-degree pitch with a 120 cm (47 inch) knee wall. The building is a typical model from the architect, but the floor plan can be freely designed. Windows are also not fixed.
Some explanations:
On the ground floor, there is a walk-in shower in the bathroom (the elongated one). The kitchen features a strip of windows. It is a large area with a big table and a counter.
What concerns me a bit is the bathroom: no shower is planned here intentionally, since we already have one on the ground floor. Still, perhaps we should consider a shower option in the bathtub?! I didn’t want a sloped bathtub, but rather a washbasin on a countertop that is somewhat longer. The line indicates the room height of 2 meters (6 ft 7 in).
Unfortunately, I cannot produce cross sections, so here are views from two compass directions.
In the entrance area, a small wardrobe is planned. Additionally, when guests come, all the coats and shoes should be stored in a closet (easy to access) in the study, since this room is rarely used anyway (until we can no longer manage the stairs due to age ;-))
A basement is not planned.
I look forward to your criticism and suggestions!
Yvonne
... is not necessary either.
We currently have 5.5 m² (59 ft²) for the toilet, washbasin (on a large wooden countertop), and oval bathtub in the end-terrace house. Now, a nice bathtub should define the wellness area, but we definitely don’t need more bathroom furniture. Here, 10 m² (108 ft²) with a knee wall height of 130 cm (51 inches) create a spacious area in my opinion. I don’t like large bathrooms where everything is either awkwardly arranged, cluttered with installation walls, or where sanitary fixtures are stuck to the walls and corners with cold space in between.
Quality of life is not about size! :-)
We currently have 5.5 m² (59 ft²) for the toilet, washbasin (on a large wooden countertop), and oval bathtub in the end-terrace house. Now, a nice bathtub should define the wellness area, but we definitely don’t need more bathroom furniture. Here, 10 m² (108 ft²) with a knee wall height of 130 cm (51 inches) create a spacious area in my opinion. I don’t like large bathrooms where everything is either awkwardly arranged, cluttered with installation walls, or where sanitary fixtures are stuck to the walls and corners with cold space in between.
Quality of life is not about size! :-)
Bauexperte schrieb:
With small adjustments—such as adding more continuous windows (remember that at least one should be electrically operable) below the ridge, and modifying the front-facing windows to better match the overall architecture—the house appears more visually appealing from the direct front view. I know many sales colleagues argue that a homeowner spends more time inside the house than looking at the outside; however, in my experience, this comparison is flawed. The appearance is also a crucial buying factor and often remains a topic of discussion even after moving in.
We have now planned three continuous window bands at the ridge. The architect designed the front windows to be more attractive than I originally placed them (larger, identical). One window (the top central one) will be removed completely because a continuous window band will illuminate the utility room.
Upstairs, two walls will be moved so that the walls around the hallway with the staircase form a square (by coincidence). This benefits the rooms upstairs. The staircase starts in the living area and only turns a quarter turn at the top.
montessalet9 Nov 2018 07:51This is actually quite interesting – I’m going to take a look at what you planned and built back then. Very intriguing. I also found the “criticism,” or rather the point that some people consider the house too large for two occupants, quite interesting.
I can already expect some criticism once I share our floor plan… (which will likely be even bigger based on the current status).
I like your room sizes, and the living room even seems relatively small – but of course, that depends on the furniture (which is actually true for every room: what matters is always what will be placed inside).
The roof design is certainly an acquired taste – I probably would have made the roof a bit flatter. However, I’ve never really liked steeper roofs.
Regarding the criticism of the floor plan by the architect: I have seen clearly worse, or rather mostly worse, designs by architects. The floor plans clearly show that you have thoughtfully considered the required areas and the rooms. Many architects don’t do that – or not with the perspective and needs of the homeowners.
Overall, I think it’s a successful house with a sensible use of space.
I can already expect some criticism once I share our floor plan… (which will likely be even bigger based on the current status).
I like your room sizes, and the living room even seems relatively small – but of course, that depends on the furniture (which is actually true for every room: what matters is always what will be placed inside).
The roof design is certainly an acquired taste – I probably would have made the roof a bit flatter. However, I’ve never really liked steeper roofs.
Regarding the criticism of the floor plan by the architect: I have seen clearly worse, or rather mostly worse, designs by architects. The floor plans clearly show that you have thoughtfully considered the required areas and the rooms. Many architects don’t do that – or not with the perspective and needs of the homeowners.
Overall, I think it’s a successful house with a sensible use of space.
Thank you, unfortunately I didn’t receive any advice on space planning at the time. So we have a problem with the office at the entrance, for example: a spot for a dresser was planned, but the door was actually placed in the middle, leaving only 34 cm (13 inches) on each side. That’s not ideal.
The roof was actually flattened by about 2 degrees, but it still has the same appearance. At the top, it looks different in our case.
The living room is fairly large. I would now even give up half a meter (1.5 feet) in favor of the office.
The roof was actually flattened by about 2 degrees, but it still has the same appearance. At the top, it looks different in our case.
The living room is fairly large. I would now even give up half a meter (1.5 feet) in favor of the office.
montessalet9 Nov 2018 09:59Yes – some people have a strong preference for symmetry: I just had to point this out in our design (it was about the front door, but it’s basically the same issue). The door has to be on the left if, for example, there is a wardrobe on the right, or vice versa. Placing everything in the middle is often not the best solution. The usefulness of spaces only becomes clear once you actually start using them. Since this will be my third house, I hope to continue the learning curve from the first to the second house with this one. And then there’s the forum (with you): I’m sure there will be plenty of (constructive) criticism...
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