Bypass building boundary through land extension instead of division

Hello everyone,

here are a few pieces of information to better follow my thoughts.

Dimensions of the property
Unfortunately, I do not yet have exact measurements from a surveyor for the property. What we did do, however, was to measure the width ourselves once; we came to 25m in width and 23m at the deepest point.

Assumption about boundary construction
In an initial conversation with Bien-Zenker almost 2 years ago (the project with the company was subsequently discontinued), we were told that for a semi-detached house only one building boundary may be built on, and not both sides. But given the competence of the advisor, I can also simply imagine that the information was wrong ... Where can I call to find out what we are allowed and not allowed to do? Do I get this information from the building authority?

Garages/carport flush with the houses at the front
This way we keep a large open garden behind the houses, which is connected with the parents’ garden. I always find a garden in front of the house somehow annoying, because anyone can look in there unless I close it off with a hedge or fence :/ (even though it would be inviting, as we have a building boundary of 5 meters in front of the house...).

Challenge of balcony in the sun
My wife is an absolute sun person, so she wishes for a large balcony on the front side of the house where she can lie in the sun. I must admit I don't yet have a really good solution for this. Maybe the garage could be built over? Can I place a balcony on the building boundary?

Prefabricated house – first idea
Currently, we have somewhat fallen in love with a design from Hanse Haus.
We might just build this twice and mirror the second house, so that in the end we have the following floor plan.



Together, the two halves would then have a width of just under 20 meters. However, it would get quite tight with a garage/carport to the left and right of the house. But as I said, this is just a first idea for now.

You can't just take a floor plan for a detached house and simply connect them together. You lose the windows on one side in a semi-detached house, and that has consequences for the rooms. Try connecting the upper floors as a test and tell me where the light in the bedroom and bathroom is supposed to come from. Apart from that, I wouldn't put the bay windows on the outside in a semi-detached house. That forces you to place your terraces directly next to each other, leaving you with zero privacy.

You can't just take a floor plan for a detached house and simply put them together. You lose the windows on one side in a semi-detached house, and that has consequences for the rooms. Try connecting the upper floors as a test and tell me where the light in the bedroom and bathroom is supposed to come from. Aside from that, I wouldn't put the bay windows on the outside with a semi-detached house. That forces you to place your terraces right next to each other and have zero privacy.

I understand that you still have to consider the windows. I was initially only concerned with the shape and size.

Ultimately, the bay windows are a matter of taste. Either one party has the garden open to the parents, or to each other.

I would actually prefer to do it that way, but I'm afraid it won't work because of the building boundaries...
That is, the garages or carports are situated between the houses, so you basically have two detached houses.

The problem is that it’s not just about windows. If you remove windows on one side, you can no longer make certain floor plans. That’s why floor plans for semi-detached houses are somewhat different. Then there’s also the issue of orientation. Yvonne already mentioned this in #20. With two identical halves, you will clearly get one nicer and one less nice half. A semi-detached house doesn’t mean that both halves have to be the same. But you can only carry out the planning process if you first compile the requirements and then discuss specific houses. If you immediately throw concrete floor plans around now, you skip the important planning steps.

Ultimately, the matter of bay windows is a matter of taste.

It may be a matter of taste. Nevertheless, there remain objective advantages and disadvantages that outsiders can see much more clearly than the builder.

Maybe the garage can be built over?

No.

Can I put a balcony on the building boundary?

No.

she wishes for a large balcony on the front side of the house where she can lie in the sun.

Wishes don’t always come true. I’ll be very sober and pragmatic here: On a balcony, neighbors/pedestrians can look in more easily than into a fenced garden.

We would possibly just build this twice and mirror the second house, so that in the end you have the following floor plan.

Does not fit.

I was initially only concerned about shape and size.

Does not fit either.

I would most prefer to do it that way, but I’m afraid it won’t work.

Sorry, now don’t be childish: you have 25 meters width available for 2 halves, then a floor area ratio of 0.4.. This is not a desired plot, but you’re getting it as a gift. And now to come along with silly I-would-really-like-to or I-prefer-it-this-way things that shout from afar that I-don’t-fit and 1+1 ≠ 3, I would quickly forget that, otherwise it’s not your plot – but that could have been realized two years ago. Even a wish for a sunny balcony (display balcony) is actually not current at all if you think in terms of “duplex.” Therefore, be realistic and approach it accordingly and act in that way. You can find the state building code, restrictions or extensions are explained in the plan. If you don’t like reality, having to build a neat duplex with a conservative layout, then you have to buy another plot.