Feedback on single-family house floor plan, 222 sqm desired

Put aside the floor plan and everything else.
Get a sheet of paper.
Go through the rooms again one by one. What do you want, why, which furniture must or should go in – write the measurements next to it right away.
What is a must, what would be nice, what absolutely not.
Take measurements. What is ideal now should remain, what doesn’t fit now won’t be better in a new one.
Dining area at a friend's place is great, take the measurements, guest WC too small politely ask about it and remember to make it bigger.

If you have this list, compare it with your plan. Check if you have really considered everything listed as must and everything listed as absolutely not.
Then you will notice whether it can be done by just moving walls or if it needs to be new.
The internet is full of houses with similar requirements. Be careful, often dollhouse furniture is drawn in.

It was actually the case that we went to the architect with quite concrete ideas... I would be interested to know, how did you proceed from there?

Exactly like that: We had a lot of wishes, unordered and illustrated, along with a description of how we want to live. This happened in dialogue during three meetings lasting several hours each and one meeting at the plot. The architect asked many questions, the carpenter was already involved in two meetings. There was no specification for the shape of the house. A few weeks later, the architect surprised us with a design, which he explained to us in detail. It was a hit.

After all the comments, we now feel very uncomfortable about putting this plan into practice as it is.

Feeling uncertain is completely normal. Many decisions have to be made. If you can live well with the points of criticism, there is no reason to feel uncertain. If there are points you haven't considered and that are important to you, bring them up at the next architect meeting. We integrated the laundry room into the entrance area. For many, that is impossible. For us, it fits perfectly – it can be the same for you with the unusual details in your plan – after all, you have thought about it. It is your house, not one that has to please everyone.

And even if it would be a pretty drastic step to start over again, maybe that would be better than stubbornly sticking to the plan and regretting it afterward when you live in it. Or we could refine the current floor plan once more...

That is a matter of how important your change requests are and the architect’s proposed solutions. Don’t expect the solution to come immediately in one conversation.

The criteria here apply to about 80% of those wanting to build – there are tons of example floor plans. Almost all of them look the same. ;)

Isn’t that terribly dull?

Warning: often dollhouse furniture is drawn in.

Yes, that is super important!

Isn't that terribly boring?

Totally! Architects are happy about every project that isn’t run-of-the-mill and that doesn’t end up in a house where you already know from the front door what the rest of the house looks like. Therefore, I don’t find the design here wrong at all. I wouldn’t discard it, but rather critically examine it and look at and mark what I really like and what I don’t.
For example, I really like the solution for the transition between the kitchen and living room – the kitchen is open to the dining area and not completely separated from the living room either, but you don’t have to stare from the couch across the dining table at the stove and sink. The design has an intimacy on the ground floor with semi-open rooms. I think that – judging by the details of the dimensions – is well done.

Basically, many people are bothered by the same thing here. Whether it bothers the OP or if it is even intentional, he has to know. By the way, we had 5 floor plans until it fit. You always have to ask yourself if everything that has to be there is there, if everything we don't want is actually not present, and during the construction phase the dressing room was removed.

Totally! Architects are happy about every commission that is not run-of-the-mill and doesn't end up in a house where you already know at the front door how the rest of the house looks. Therefore, I don't find the design here so wrong at all. I wouldn't discard it, but rather look at it critically, see and highlight what I really like and what I don't. For example, I really like the solution for the transition from kitchen to living room – the kitchen is open to the dining area and not completely separated from the living room either, but you don't stare from the couch across the dining table at the stove and the sink. The design has a sense of intimacy on the ground floor with semi-open rooms. I think – from the details of the dimensions – this is well done.

Thanks for the positive words! We actually thought it was great and were proud that we have a very individual floor plan that was created solely from our ideas. And we put in countless hours, made cardboard models, created our own 3D floor plans, etc. But of course, we didn't consider some points, and correcting this now is probably very difficult. But maybe we'll really let the architect take over now without us overthinking things again beforehand...

The approach is also nice and should be maintained. Without looking and only in my head: Garage stays, gets a roof with a basement replacement room/storage room. The current storage room is halved in size and becomes technical room and pantry (two separate rooms). Kitchen in this area towards the terrace, current kitchen becomes dining area with windows facing south and southwest. WC switches with stairs. Additionally, the entrance door is moved further up in the plan from the stairs. This would also connect to the technical room/pantry with a large hallway and coatroom space and access to the kitchen and dining area. (Dining area is semi-open to the stairs?) Bay window is not necessary, can be used as a relief about half to one meter deep and as wide as the bedroom needs. Only it should not cut through the already small plot anyway. Office and living room remain. Note that the WC is now also there near guest/office. (Upstairs, kids’ bathroom and stairs switch. However, one should consider and question whether a kids’ bathroom is necessary. Kids’ rooms could remain, perhaps somewhat smaller... something (one of them can still be straightened somewhat...)) I would, however, place the kids’ rooms to the south and west, i.e. towards the garden. Where the kids’ rooms are now, then the parents’ area. Upon entering the bedroom, look at the bed, no south-facing window. Adjust the facade in the front so that a simple straight-lined roof is possible. Set the garage a bit apart from the main house. Quite a bit of area will be saved that way. The storage room counts as part of the garage ;)