stunningsteve
2021-07-12 11:18:53
- #1
Hello everyone,
we have owned a classic two-family house from the seventies for a few years (large apartment on the ground floor, smaller granny flat on the upper floor), which we are currently converting into a single-family house. Until a year ago, we only lived in the lower apartment; the granny flat on the upper floor was vacant. Last year, we started merging both apartments by installing a new staircase and making a large breakthrough inside, connecting the two.
Now we want to gradually (but still promptly within 1-2 years) first redesign the upper floor and later the lower floor so that we can use the property as a single-family house (currently difficult because two independent apartments also mean 2x living rooms, 2x kitchens, etc.). An energy upgrade will also be carried out during the conversion – but this should not be the focus here. My concern is a sensible floor plan optimization. The goal is not to carry out a full renovation; however, we are also planning many major measures (as much as necessary to fulfill our essential wishes).
Due to the large area available, including the extension (approx. 250 m²), a sensible layout is not so easy. In addition, the existing structure and the presence of key elements (e.g., the stairs) set certain limits on the design. After many drafts and plan attempts, I now have a version that I would like to present here for discussion. I will try to answer the questions concerning a conversion as well as possible. I have omitted the basement floor plan as I fear it is already complicated enough.
Development plan/restrictions
Size of the plot – 750 m²
Number of floors – 1.5 floors
Roof shape – gable roof
Client requirements
Basement, floors: basement, ground floor, and upper floor
Number of people, ages: 3 (soon 4), 37, 34, 2, 0
Office: regular home office by 1 person
Sleeping guests per year: rarely, possibly more later due to children
Open or closed architecture: open
Open kitchen, cooking island: yes, desired
Number of dining seats: 6-8
Fireplace: not present, only if it fits somewhere sensibly
Balcony, roof terrace: no, possibly feasible as part of the dormer, but not essential
Garage, carport: 2 garages available, integrated in the basement
House design
Who planned it: mainly own work, partially discussed with an architect and energy consultant
What do you particularly like? Large, open living/dining area with cooking island, large windows facing the terrace, separated parents’ area on the ground floor
What do you dislike? Layout of the children’s rooms on the upper floor somewhat awkward (due to roof supports in the masonry), laundry room in the basement (long distances), no pantry (but have managed without so far), basement access is located in the living/dining room
Personal budget limit for conversion, including equipment: €300,000 (including energy upgrade)
If you have to forgo something, which details/extensions
-can be foregone: dormer, dressing room
Why is the design the way it is? For example:
While the little ones are still toddlers, we will probably set up our bedroom in the planned office/guest room on the upper floor. In the medium term, we want to sleep downstairs and have the kids upstairs. In the long term, this offers the option that when we are older and the kids have moved out, we will live only on the ground floor.
I am attaching the existing floor plans, the version with the changes, as well as the final version. Please let me know if anything is missing.
we have owned a classic two-family house from the seventies for a few years (large apartment on the ground floor, smaller granny flat on the upper floor), which we are currently converting into a single-family house. Until a year ago, we only lived in the lower apartment; the granny flat on the upper floor was vacant. Last year, we started merging both apartments by installing a new staircase and making a large breakthrough inside, connecting the two.
Now we want to gradually (but still promptly within 1-2 years) first redesign the upper floor and later the lower floor so that we can use the property as a single-family house (currently difficult because two independent apartments also mean 2x living rooms, 2x kitchens, etc.). An energy upgrade will also be carried out during the conversion – but this should not be the focus here. My concern is a sensible floor plan optimization. The goal is not to carry out a full renovation; however, we are also planning many major measures (as much as necessary to fulfill our essential wishes).
Due to the large area available, including the extension (approx. 250 m²), a sensible layout is not so easy. In addition, the existing structure and the presence of key elements (e.g., the stairs) set certain limits on the design. After many drafts and plan attempts, I now have a version that I would like to present here for discussion. I will try to answer the questions concerning a conversion as well as possible. I have omitted the basement floor plan as I fear it is already complicated enough.
Development plan/restrictions
Size of the plot – 750 m²
Number of floors – 1.5 floors
Roof shape – gable roof
Client requirements
Basement, floors: basement, ground floor, and upper floor
Number of people, ages: 3 (soon 4), 37, 34, 2, 0
Office: regular home office by 1 person
Sleeping guests per year: rarely, possibly more later due to children
Open or closed architecture: open
Open kitchen, cooking island: yes, desired
Number of dining seats: 6-8
Fireplace: not present, only if it fits somewhere sensibly
Balcony, roof terrace: no, possibly feasible as part of the dormer, but not essential
Garage, carport: 2 garages available, integrated in the basement
House design
Who planned it: mainly own work, partially discussed with an architect and energy consultant
What do you particularly like? Large, open living/dining area with cooking island, large windows facing the terrace, separated parents’ area on the ground floor
What do you dislike? Layout of the children’s rooms on the upper floor somewhat awkward (due to roof supports in the masonry), laundry room in the basement (long distances), no pantry (but have managed without so far), basement access is located in the living/dining room
Personal budget limit for conversion, including equipment: €300,000 (including energy upgrade)
If you have to forgo something, which details/extensions
-can be foregone: dormer, dressing room
Why is the design the way it is? For example:
While the little ones are still toddlers, we will probably set up our bedroom in the planned office/guest room on the upper floor. In the medium term, we want to sleep downstairs and have the kids upstairs. In the long term, this offers the option that when we are older and the kids have moved out, we will live only on the ground floor.
I am attaching the existing floor plans, the version with the changes, as well as the final version. Please let me know if anything is missing.