City villa with office - Feedback & smart optimization ideas requested

Hello to all involved so far!

First of all, thank you very much for your feedback, I am very pleased. Even if a lot is not exactly positive, but that’s why I’m here, I need constructive information and not compliments out of courtesy.

first of all, I’m glad you like it from the outside.

Regarding the space, we have looked at quite a few show homes and most of them actually fit well. It was not too big but also not too cramped. But of course we still have to see it in 3D in the end.

The kitchen unit is still a relic from the first draft, back then the washing machine and dryer were still downstairs. We still have to see what else is needed there. Possibly a washbasin, the rest is storage space. But we are still hoping for ideas or inspiration.

The WC is a great thing when you party in the garage. We both have birthdays in winter, but it’s not a must, especially if it is too inconvenient or if it can save costs again here.

I agree with you, no fancy exterior and poor interior. But it will also not be a Mercedes Benz, but solid within a normal range.

, I’m glad you like it too. I am aware of the corners, that’s why I’m asking here for advice on where something can be saved, where we can leave out corners without completely losing the charm.

if there are ideas that save more than 10sqm and where I can save corners without making the current house design too negative, then very gladly. But probably, after the first statements, we will have to increase our budget. Something I didn’t necessarily want, but luckily can. I just didn’t want to touch it if I don’t have to and use it as a last buffer.

Your comment regarding Tetris is very fitting, not exactly positive, but I really appreciate honest feedback. On the one hand we like it, on the other hand it gets expensive and is not always practical. Regarding the toilet in the garage, see the sentence about it further up in my answer. About the bathroom downstairs, I fear that too, it should be barrier-free, the architect needs to work on that again.

Regarding the stairs and cloakroom, so even airier, where should the space come from if not stolen, or so that the area doesn’t become even bigger? Do you have a suggestion? In the architect’s first draft it was even 40sqm downstairs! I was already glad to reduce it to 30sqm.

Regarding the kitchen, where would you want to start or why do you think it seems unergonomic?

Yes, I don’t like the dressing room either, that’s why I’m here for suggestions for improvement.

Regarding the balconies, I will definitely use the front one, since I like to work outside on my laptop and in the evening you can still enjoy the evening sun there. We would use the other balcony for sauna visits and it serves as a roof for the south terrace. And if necessary for hanging laundry that doesn’t belong in the dryer.

the construction company is a bricklayer company. Smart home is not included, I already dismissed that idea earlier and don’t know if it really makes sense with all those gadgets. Possibly the provision for cables but nothing more. Opinions differ quite a bit on controlled residential ventilation as well, and yes it is also a cost issue. Fireplace and sauna should be included, we are enthusiastic sauna visitors and have always loved fireplaces, whether at friends or on vacation. There are no other explicit wishes in the interior design, but I think that’s enough and otherwise it would be complaining on a high level if I said I’m still missing something!

Regarding the connections, nothing is given for free. There are discounted prices and at the weekend with the father-in-law doing some of the work ourselves (yes, I know it’s not much, but at least that) and material at cost price.

As I said, we probably have to invest more than we thought.

I agree with your suggestions, we will probably have to find 20sqm and simplify as well. Thank you! Regarding the office, I have already told the architect that it really should be smaller. Regarding the exact dimensions, I still have to wait 4 weeks for the next draft.

Regarding the wow effect from the inside, you are quite active here, is there a post you can tell me about or a page where you had one or more effects like that?

thank you, it has been received.

good guess, but it doesn’t have to be just the style, we like others as well. Thanks for the link, I’ll read through it right away!

Thanks to you all anyway for your first feedback and suggestions! I really appreciate that. More is welcome and maybe also with one or another concrete idea. I have now also understood the budget situation.

Exterior view quite nice. But let's be honest: not feasible.

Price estimate according to architect/planner:
2000 euros per m²

No.

Personal price limit for the house, incl. equipment:
550,000 euros without land.

2000€/sqm refers to standard construction 2019, well then: max. 200sqm. Rather 180sqm.

Balcony at the front top by the office

Why?

because I also like to work outside on the laptop and in the evening you can still enjoy the evening sun there.

Nice to have.
Enjoy the evening sun in the garden at ground level, everything else is wishful thinking!

The house is so convoluted that despite its size, there is no sense of spaciousness. For example, the master bedroom is about 50m² and yet the individual rooms feel small (on the upper floor16). On the ground floor, the hallway, corridor, and this passage between the garage and corridor make up 27.5m² (!!!). This is the maximum waste of space. The kitchen might be large, but it is rather poorly suited for furnishing. Overall, there is a lack of straightforwardness here. The shape of the stairs is also a "certificate of poverty" considering the size of the house, sorry. Regarding the costs. It will be tight or not sufficient. Little balconies here, little balconies there, and you already have a substantial five-figure amount just for the necessary railings. As several have already written, all the corners etc. cost a lot of money.

thank you for your honest feedback. Do you have any specific suggestions on what I can change?

For your information, the passage between the garage and the hallway is actually intended as a "Mudroom." The children, for example, go in there with dirty clothes and can take them off. As a concrete example to start with some changes, how would you arrange the foyer, stairs, and hallway to present something plausible instead of wasted space and an embarrassment?

Thank you very much for your feedback!

Alex

For your information, the passage between the garage and the hallway is actually intended as a "Mudroom." That’s where the kids, for example, come in with dirty clothes and can take them off there.

It’s nonsense... let’s just call it what it is. If you also add a second kitchen for cooking, then it’s okay.
Balcony for laptop work in the evening sun, mudroom for kids with muddy boots... wouldn’t it then also make sense to have a toilet room away from the wellness oasis and a bedroom for sleeping for snorers?
Instead of increasing the budget, I would reconsider many things.

Hey ,

I only said what the room was intended for, as it was presented by the architect and was previously much larger. And yes, if I am already investing so much money in a house, I don’t want to just follow the standard template and 08/15 solutions, I also want to treat myself to my own little oasis of well-being. Some people think and act purely practically and only need a roof over their heads, others want a toilet room for snorers. That can be left to everyone and should maybe be assessed more objectively. I work from home, and that’s why I also find it good to go out on the balcony occasionally to work there, but not too far from the office because all the monitors and other equipment are there. Since we only have the entrance on the west side and really like the evening sun, we would also like to have a little spot out front after work. Quite simply.

I also didn’t say I would just increase the budget on the spot—that’s not in my petty cash—but a mix between reconsidering and possibly adjusting with noticeable savings has been my goal from the start, which is why I also asked where savings could be made, since I find it too much myself and not optimally resolved. Of course, I prefer an optimized solution rather than just increasing the budget.

Besides reconsidering a few points, maybe we can still go back to the questions I asked at the beginning, even if they may no longer be relevant after some changes:

What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan summarized in 130 characters?

General opinion on the floor plan and exterior—constructive critical feedback welcome – Check

Optimization possibilities for room layout/position and possible space savings – It would be great if I could maybe get some concrete suggestions here, even if it only helps with one or another point. The final solution will always follow step by step; I don’t expect an all-encompassing solution to all criteria here.

Are corridors or areas in the design too narrow or tight? – Do you see any spots that are definitely or probably too tight?

Creative and clever ideas to use space sensibly and make it cozy. – It would be very nice if I could maybe get ideas on what we could do differently.

Windows better slightly rounded or straight at the top, and with concrete edging or without? What do you like or not like about the front? – Maybe you can at least say something about this.

Roof better with or without dormer? – It would also be very nice to hear your opinion on this.

Thanks a lot and have a nice Sunday!

Alex