B
Bergziege2918 Dec 2016 12:07Hello,
I would also like to share my design here for discussion. The design was created by me and complies with the development plan. I am preparing the building application myself. However, since I am "only" a civil engineer, I am hoping for input or suggestions for improvement and optimization.
Plot size: 819 m² (8807 sq ft) + 261 m² (2810 sq ft)
Slope: yes, about 0.50 m (20 inches) from front to back
Roof type: hipped roof with trusses
Style: modern
Basement: no
Floors: ground floor + attic tower
Number of occupants: residential unit 2: retirees, residential unit 1: 2 adults, 2 children (teens)
Open architecture
Modern construction method: yes
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: yes
Garage, carport: 1 garage, 1 carport
House design
Who created the design:
- Do-it-Yourself
What do you particularly like? Why? The building line and floor area ratio are predetermined; the plan was to create 2 single-story units. I like my design but would appreciate outside opinions as it might lack creativity.
What do you dislike? Why? The bathrooms are not yet optimal.
Preferred heating system: underfloor heating, heat pump with ground collectors
If you had to give up something, what details or expansions would you skip?
Nothing 🙂
Thanks and best regards
I would also like to share my design here for discussion. The design was created by me and complies with the development plan. I am preparing the building application myself. However, since I am "only" a civil engineer, I am hoping for input or suggestions for improvement and optimization.
Plot size: 819 m² (8807 sq ft) + 261 m² (2810 sq ft)
Slope: yes, about 0.50 m (20 inches) from front to back
Roof type: hipped roof with trusses
Style: modern
Basement: no
Floors: ground floor + attic tower
Number of occupants: residential unit 2: retirees, residential unit 1: 2 adults, 2 children (teens)
Open architecture
Modern construction method: yes
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 6
Fireplace: yes
Garage, carport: 1 garage, 1 carport
House design
Who created the design:
- Do-it-Yourself
What do you particularly like? Why? The building line and floor area ratio are predetermined; the plan was to create 2 single-story units. I like my design but would appreciate outside opinions as it might lack creativity.
What do you dislike? Why? The bathrooms are not yet optimal.
Preferred heating system: underfloor heating, heat pump with ground collectors
If you had to give up something, what details or expansions would you skip?
Nothing 🙂
Thanks and best regards
B
Bergziege2918 Dec 2016 15:14Sorry,
here are the pictures.
here are the pictures.
Hello Bergziege,
I’m sorry to say this, but I’m a bit overwhelmed by the many points that I wouldn’t like.
Starting with the attic:
- The wall and interior dimensions are indicated differently.
- There should be no more than half a meter (about 1.5 feet) of space between the waterbed and the wall to pass through (assuming the bed is not much longer than 2.1m (7 feet) including the frame).
- The walk-in closet seems too narrow for two rows of wardrobes.
- I find the bathroom quite narrow and corridor-like even as a guest toilet; especially for daily use. There are no storage options to, for example, easily bring clothes into the bathroom.
Ground floor for retirees:
- It probably isn’t barrier-free due to lack of space in the bathroom, next to the bed, etc. – even if it may not be necessary now, I would pay some attention to making sure it is still accessible with a walker.
- The storage room offers little space; having wardrobes in the bedroom would at least provide the option to furnish differently if care is needed.
- Will the living unit have a terrace?
- There is a small wardrobe niche, but it is not very deep.
Second living unit:
- Almost no coat storage space directly at the entrance.
- Instead, there is a very large hallway.
- Will the doors under the stairs actually work?
- Is the roof structure even statically possible given the wall thickness on the ground floor?
- For child 1, the entrance area is very tight with the wardrobes as drawn, or the possible furniture arrangements should be reviewed.
- The path to the kitchen is almost as long as possible; so it’s quite inconvenient.
- With the couch placement, there is no sense of calm because everyone has to pass by on the way to the refrigerator.
I’m very sorry that I don’t have suggestions for improvements right away.
I have the impression that you might need to completely rethink the room layout if you especially want to change the route to the kitchen and the couch situation.
How attached are you to the design with the tower?
And what will happen with the tower and the children’s rooms when the children have moved out?
I’m sorry to say this, but I’m a bit overwhelmed by the many points that I wouldn’t like.
Starting with the attic:
- The wall and interior dimensions are indicated differently.
- There should be no more than half a meter (about 1.5 feet) of space between the waterbed and the wall to pass through (assuming the bed is not much longer than 2.1m (7 feet) including the frame).
- The walk-in closet seems too narrow for two rows of wardrobes.
- I find the bathroom quite narrow and corridor-like even as a guest toilet; especially for daily use. There are no storage options to, for example, easily bring clothes into the bathroom.
Ground floor for retirees:
- It probably isn’t barrier-free due to lack of space in the bathroom, next to the bed, etc. – even if it may not be necessary now, I would pay some attention to making sure it is still accessible with a walker.
- The storage room offers little space; having wardrobes in the bedroom would at least provide the option to furnish differently if care is needed.
- Will the living unit have a terrace?
- There is a small wardrobe niche, but it is not very deep.
Second living unit:
- Almost no coat storage space directly at the entrance.
- Instead, there is a very large hallway.
- Will the doors under the stairs actually work?
- Is the roof structure even statically possible given the wall thickness on the ground floor?
- For child 1, the entrance area is very tight with the wardrobes as drawn, or the possible furniture arrangements should be reviewed.
- The path to the kitchen is almost as long as possible; so it’s quite inconvenient.
- With the couch placement, there is no sense of calm because everyone has to pass by on the way to the refrigerator.
I’m very sorry that I don’t have suggestions for improvements right away.
I have the impression that you might need to completely rethink the room layout if you especially want to change the route to the kitchen and the couch situation.
How attached are you to the design with the tower?
And what will happen with the tower and the children’s rooms when the children have moved out?
We are currently building a very similar project. A granny flat on the ground floor for my parents, and the rest of the ground floor plus the entire upper floor for us. My parents need 2 bedrooms, which makes the granny flat larger. Overall, I find your design quite cramped and tight throughout. For the parents, it definitely needs to be age-appropriate and accessible. What are they supposed to store in such a small storage room?
I would prefer larger children's bedrooms.
Will the living room be furnished as shown in the plan? Where will the TV go then?
Your bathroom/dressing area upstairs also seems too small to me. Although there is only a bed in the bedroom, there should still be enough space around it. I am also uncertain about this in your plan.
Where will the washing machines and dryers be located?
Just to satisfy your curiosity, I have also shared our floor plan here.
I would prefer larger children's bedrooms.
Will the living room be furnished as shown in the plan? Where will the TV go then?
Your bathroom/dressing area upstairs also seems too small to me. Although there is only a bed in the bedroom, there should still be enough space around it. I am also uncertain about this in your plan.
Where will the washing machines and dryers be located?
Just to satisfy your curiosity, I have also shared our floor plan here.
B
Bergziege2918 Dec 2016 18:03Hello and thank you for your thoughts,
Maria, my answers in red:
Starting in the attic:
- The wall and internal dimensions are given differently:
This is due to my small laptop; the attic should be built as a timber structure with exterior insulation.
- Between the waterbed and the wall, there should be a maximum of half a meter (about 1.5 feet) to walk through (assuming the bed is not much longer than 2.1m (7 feet) including the frame)
The bed will only be 2m (6.5 feet) wide, the passage is at least 1m (3.3 feet).
- The dressing room might be too tight for two rows of closets
Two rows of closets at 40cm (16 inches) each, I need to check again.
- I find the guest bathroom already narrow and tight; even more so for daily use. There are no storage options, for example, to bring clothes directly into the bathroom
As mentioned in the original post, the bathrooms are not finished; it is still uncertain whether there will be a shower upstairs.
Ground floor for retirees
- It probably is not barrier-free due to limited space in the bathroom, next to the bed, etc. — even if it may not be necessary now, I would already pay some attention to living with a walker
Correct, it is not barrier-free; I need to review this again.
- The storage room offers little space; with wardrobes in the bedroom, there would at least be options to furnish differently in case of care needs
Storage room is only for daily items like a vacuum cleaner, etc.
- Will the residential unit have a terrace?
Yes, on the south side.
- At least there is a small coat niche, though not very deep
40cm (16 inches) deep, same as in our current apartment, which is sufficient.
Second residential unit
- Hardly any coat storage right by the entrance
Right opposite the front door.
- But a huge hallway
I like that, I thought of using glued laminated timber beams for the ceiling structure.
- Do the doors under the stairs actually work?
Yes, checked.
- Is the roof structure statically possible with the wall thicknesses on the ground floor?
Yes, the walls are 17.5cm (7 inches) thick made of sand-lime bricks; our structural engineer says yes.
- The entrance situation for child 1 is very tight with the closets shown; placement options should be reviewed
Yes, this is only the first draft.
- The route to the kitchen is almost no longer; so it is quite inconvenient
Hmm, I am trying to imagine that; currently, my path to the kitchen is even longer.
- You don’t get any peace on the couch if everyone has to walk past it to get to the fridge
I am trying to picture that; I don’t find it that bad.
Sorry, this is not meant to justify everything — I’m very interested in feedback because I have developed tunnel vision at some point. It would be great if some improvement ideas could also be shared.
Thanks and regards
Maria, my answers in red:
Starting in the attic:
- The wall and internal dimensions are given differently:
This is due to my small laptop; the attic should be built as a timber structure with exterior insulation.
- Between the waterbed and the wall, there should be a maximum of half a meter (about 1.5 feet) to walk through (assuming the bed is not much longer than 2.1m (7 feet) including the frame)
The bed will only be 2m (6.5 feet) wide, the passage is at least 1m (3.3 feet).
- The dressing room might be too tight for two rows of closets
Two rows of closets at 40cm (16 inches) each, I need to check again.
- I find the guest bathroom already narrow and tight; even more so for daily use. There are no storage options, for example, to bring clothes directly into the bathroom
As mentioned in the original post, the bathrooms are not finished; it is still uncertain whether there will be a shower upstairs.
Ground floor for retirees
- It probably is not barrier-free due to limited space in the bathroom, next to the bed, etc. — even if it may not be necessary now, I would already pay some attention to living with a walker
Correct, it is not barrier-free; I need to review this again.
- The storage room offers little space; with wardrobes in the bedroom, there would at least be options to furnish differently in case of care needs
Storage room is only for daily items like a vacuum cleaner, etc.
- Will the residential unit have a terrace?
Yes, on the south side.
- At least there is a small coat niche, though not very deep
40cm (16 inches) deep, same as in our current apartment, which is sufficient.
Second residential unit
- Hardly any coat storage right by the entrance
Right opposite the front door.
- But a huge hallway
I like that, I thought of using glued laminated timber beams for the ceiling structure.
- Do the doors under the stairs actually work?
Yes, checked.
- Is the roof structure statically possible with the wall thicknesses on the ground floor?
Yes, the walls are 17.5cm (7 inches) thick made of sand-lime bricks; our structural engineer says yes.
- The entrance situation for child 1 is very tight with the closets shown; placement options should be reviewed
Yes, this is only the first draft.
- The route to the kitchen is almost no longer; so it is quite inconvenient
Hmm, I am trying to imagine that; currently, my path to the kitchen is even longer.
- You don’t get any peace on the couch if everyone has to walk past it to get to the fridge
I am trying to picture that; I don’t find it that bad.
Sorry, this is not meant to justify everything — I’m very interested in feedback because I have developed tunnel vision at some point. It would be great if some improvement ideas could also be shared.
Thanks and regards
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