Feedback on our floor plan idea, small building window

oh yes, I forgot the chimney. Isn't it possible to find a more central place for it? In my opinion, it just looks totally silly if the flue exits at this spot. But maybe there are better solutions by now ^^. I could also imagine the chimney in your place as a room divider between the kitchen and the living room?

Oh, that's another idea worth considering. Thumbs up!

But do you have a concrete idea how?

Well, in Hamburg you could probably even get rid of an igloo.
To

What are you storing in there that you go in 2-3 times a day? Apart from drink crates and vacuum cleaners, I can't think of anything in my new kitchen for which I'd like a better solution than just having them loosely standing around in the kitchen.

So, to be more specific. My pantry is 4.6m² and it contains, for example, the following things:
Cat food cans, drink crates, trash: yellow bag, organic, normal trash, paper, glass – nicely separated, a small wine rack, bread baking machine, plastic bottle bag, broom and dustpan, small bucket with cleaning cloths, and then I have a shelf where I put things that could also be stored in a normal kitchen – like noodle soups and sauces, schnapps and the like.

What do you mean guests are locked in the basement? That obviously depends on the available options and not least on how often guests come. If I have guests 3-4 times a year, I find a guest room in the basement with a bathroom very comfortable! If I have visitors every weekend for 2-3 days, maybe you'd have to consider something else, but who actually has that?

Well, I find this basement living thing totally inappropriate, but that's a matter of taste. For both children and guests. Nobody likes living in a basement. My guests have a guest room upstairs – there they sleep airy, bright and warm. But I wouldn't overestimate it. I certainly don't like sleeping in the basement and I prefer to play upstairs too.

I can agree with you in almost no point.

Doesn't matter...

Tonight we consulted another architect from our circle of acquaintances, who likes the floor plan except for a few details (e.g. width of the kitchen door, window arrangement west living room). He also clearly emphasized that in the end it is very subjective. We should not be unsettled, especially not without concrete alternative suggestions.

In other words: You heard what you wanted to hear, everything will be fine.

A completely new design planning is not only unnecessary but also time-consuming and of course an additional cost driver.

This attitude is regrettable, and if you do not want to realize a below-average design, you should reconsider this calmly. It is sometimes difficult to keep up the motivation until the end to develop a design fully, but there is no other way.
And calling a reasonable plan a cost driver is nonsense. What has your current planner estimated just for the extension of the thermal envelope into the garage? Money obviously is not the limiting factor for you within the usual range.
I can understand the time aspect, but you also get lifelong quality for that.

Doesn't matter....

I believe you. You have a very thick skin, obviously nothing gets to you.

In other words: You heard what you wanted to hear, everything will be fine.....

No, there was differentiated feedback. Your guild colleague would have had no motivation to just tell me what I wanted to hear. I will not elaborate further. Please no speculation.

This attitude is regrettable, and if you do not want to realize a substandard design, you should reconsider this calmly. It is sometimes difficult to maintain motivation until the end to work out a design thoroughly, but there is no other way..

Of course, the existing good design (I quote you from November "a good basis" ;-O) will be adapted in detail until even the smallest details fit. We are highly motivated here. Believe me.

And calling reasonable planning a cost driver is nonsense. What did your current planner alone budget for the extension of the thermal envelope to the garage? Money obviously is not the limiting factor for you within the usual scope.
I can understand the time aspect, but you get lifelong quality for that.

A second, completely new design planning is, firstly, not necessary in terms of content. And secondly, expensive. I will not give you a price at this point. Just this much: The thermal envelope, sun protection, etc. is many times cheaper.

And ... how you come (for the umpteenth time) to assume that money is not a limiting factor for us, completely escapes me. That is always relative, and of course, like almost all builders, we have a limited budget, even if it is probably higher than the property.

So.... now you may have the last word and be right again.

Of course, the existing good draft (I quote you from November "a good basis" ;-O) will be adjusted in detail until the details fit perfectly. We are highly motivated here. Believe me.

That is at least encouraging. I still consider the planning status below average, but with rough refinement it can turn out well. However, due to the determination of the exterior dimensions, no design to cheer about is to be expected, but a good living standard is known to be sufficient. Therefore, I relativize my previous assessment.

A second, completely new design planning is, firstly, not necessary in terms of content. And secondly, expensive. ?.. Just so much: The thermal envelope, sun protection, etc. is many times cheaper.

What kind of contractual relationship do you currently have, and why is the "planner" not addressing the problems? If you had a contract for design phase 3, rough refinement would also be included in the price under usual contract arrangements.

And... how you come (for the umpteenth time) to assume that money is not a limiting factor for us, completely escapes me.

Efficient planning looks different, and clients would pay more attention to managing money well. Both in terms of the amount and price/performance (which can still be improved).

We will do something similar. We would have liked to have "real" windows in 1-2 rooms, but for that you have to build a complete light well, which then also has to be secured, etc. No idea what the additional costs would be, but since we do not plan to use the basement rooms as permanent living spaces, we will probably do without it. Possibly we will make a light strip in one room, since the plot slopes slightly (about 1m over 20m width), this might be possible on one side without much effort. If you find any great ideas/solutions for light wells somewhere, feel free to keep me updated

Yes, we would like that too. However, a slope on the guest room side is probably not an option due to the paving on the north side and the kitchen door on the west side. Besides, we have decided against it for safety reasons.

In our research we found the following, in case it’s interesting for you:

1) Heliobus (Google it) --> Probably not an option due to high costs
2) Meavector Komfort plus --> Also expensive.

Best regards