Construction project 200m² - Bungalow or ground floor + upper floor?

Hello everyone,

we are planning to build a single-family house soon. For this, we have a large plot of land (approx. (North-South 37m x East-West 43m). The plot is very flat but slopes overall from north to south by about 0.8m.

Now the question arises as to which type of house we want to build. Ideally, we would like a ground floor and an attic floor with at least 2m knee wall and a gable roof with about 20° roof pitch. Unfortunately, the municipal council is reluctant because the house has to fit into the surroundings: next door there are 2 houses with a ground floor and an attic floor with 0.75m knee wall and 50° roof pitch. This is referred to as a "Swabian, village style."

According to the regulations, the following would probably be allowed: max. wall height 4.30m, roof pitch 15 - 50°.

Our requirements for the living space are as follows:
- large living area (kitchen, dining area, and living area)
- 2 offices
- 2 children's rooms
- basement (with guest room)
- total living area approx. 200m²

Therefore, two types of houses are now an option for us:
1. Bungalow
One possibility would be a large bungalow with 200m² living space. There would definitely be enough space on the plot for this. However, it would be important for us that the bungalow is only partially basemented. This would probably require a technical separation between two halves of the building.

2. Ground floor + attic floor
Unfortunately, we are not fans of many sloping ceilings, so we do not yet know exactly how this could be implemented intelligently. We thought perhaps of a cross-gable, but we are not really enthusiastic.

Our questions now are:
- how different are the construction costs of option 1 and 2 (rough estimate, especially with regard to partial basement of the bungalow)?
- what other advantages/disadvantages speak for one or the other variant?

Many thanks in advance for your answers.

Best regards,
Markus

Would the bungalow be approved? It is also far from being Swabian rural. Otherwise, with this plot of land, it is the royal road, without a basement, but with a walkable attic, which is accessed by stairs, not by a floor hatch. A roof pitch of about 35 degrees would have to be chosen to have enough headroom upstairs, with studio trusses instead of timber-frame trusses. Nevertheless, it will be cheaper than a basement and works just as well. I know that, we built like that. With the targeted floor area, an angular bungalow would be ideal. A rectangular block looks to me too much like an Aldi market at this size. I can tell you, there is nothing nicer than entering your own house, and everything is completely without steps in the house except for the walk up to the attic, which is rarely needed.

Unfortunately, the municipal council is obstructing because the house must fit into the surroundings: next to it are 2 houses with a ground floor and an attic with a 0.75m knee wall and a 50° roof pitch. This is referred to as a "Swabian, rural architectural style." According to the statutes, the following would probably be allowed: Max. wall height 4.30m, roof pitch 15 - 50°.

I can't quite follow that, so what applies now: insertion requirement or development plan?

We would prefer a ground floor and an attic with at least a 2m knee wall and a gable roof with about 20° roof pitch.

A slope does not become more beautiful just because it is not liked. Visually from the inside, it is also not nice, since a knee wall that is too high then no longer creates the impression of an attic with comfortable heights, but rather that of a straight-walled floor with truncated upper room corners. Think about it again, it really looks extremely off-putting. Where does this slope phobia come from?

Bungalow tends to be more expensive than 1.5 stories Keller could be more expensive than building the area above ground. You do not have a slope and must excavate and dispose of everything.

What speaks against sloping roof?

I imagine a bungalow with 200 sqm to be difficult - if you’re not careful, it will be dark and complicated in terms of layout. The sqm can probably be better distributed over two floors. Especially for children, I find sloping ceilings nice, for example, cozier, for a bed, reading corner, etc.

I do not find a bungalow sensible in the room program. If the statute mentions 4.30, I currently see no reason to object to it. There are plenty of beautiful and livable houses (most of them actually) built with a 1.30 knee wall. Where is the problem? One should solve the knot in the head oneself that it is not possible to build an adequate residential house. If it absolutely does not fit, then please look for another plot.