Cultivation for a 4-member family at the forest edge

I cannot imagine that the extension in this form is statically compatible with the old building. The shear forces and load distributions that would then act on the remains of the old building are probably not insignificant. Has a structural engineer ever looked at this?

I cannot imagine that the extension is statically compatible with the old building in this form. The shear forces and load distributions that would then act on the remains of the old building are probably not insignificant. Has a structural engineer looked at this before?

Not from our side so far, no. However, our architect has meanwhile consulted his regular structural engineer (without any concerns that have reached us).

The old building substance is solid, the extension would be in timber frame construction, in case that should be relevant from the info.

Overall, we planned the rooms that we find practical and need; the external shape is essentially the consequence of that.

Form follows bewilderment – Frau Altkanzlerin would probably have called it "without alternative"...

Do you perhaps have ideas on how to solve this alternatively?

... but the result of the Frankenstein block would, if anything, probably have spoiled any appetite for ideas for me.

Form follows confusion - the former chancellor would probably have called it "without alternative" ...

... but the result of the Frankenstein block would have probably spoiled any appetite for ideas for me, if anything.

I always find criticism - especially constructive criticism - good and helpful ;)

I always find criticism - especially constructive criticism - good and helpful

Then you have to come with the pure task, and not with such a messed-up situation.

Then you have to come with the pure task definition, and not with such a broken-down car.

Anyone can do the easy stuff ;)


The task definition is in my opinion the following:

Our needs:
- Increased space requirement since everything on the currently existing 85m2 is quite cramped and tight
- Thanks to Corona and New Work, we both work almost exclusively from home => office for two people
- Thanks to two girls who will eventually go through puberty, a second bathroom would be nice
- Bedroom for the parents, ideally with the second bathroom attached
- Significantly larger dining area to be able to sit with more than 4 people at times – not only in summer ;)
- For the future, to accommodate a second residential unit that we can use as a retirement supplement (renting to kids or external parties)

Other framework parameters & limitations:

- Extension to the existing building only possible to the south since all other extension directions are limited (due to garage and pool or main city supply line)
- Floor area ratio/floor space index quite flexible, the street is a complete mess and our house with a floor area of 68m2 is the "smallest"
- Other structural design also flexible since everything is present in the immediate surroundings (gable roofs, shed roofs, flat roofs)
- Energy renovation necessary because there are drafts everywhere and the house is hardly sealed ;) Apart from that, the oil heating is an eyesore


A few illustrative pictures of the current situation (the floor plans of the current state are in the initial post)