Floor plan conversion of part of a barn into a single-family house with the option for a two-family house

As initial playthings, such sketches are great – you can then check on the building whether it actually works that way – and how much effort the functioning involves – for example, the sewer connections in the ground caused us real problems due to their location on the property. The heating was also tricky and threw part of the planning overboard. You also need to decide whether you want to insulate inside or outside. Retrofitting barns energetically is not without challenges. Especially barns with [Fachwerk]. We have now been working on our build for almost 3 years and we still enjoy it. Even if many things are not as easy – and fast! – as expected. :)

Nice to come across such experience reports here! That is exactly what I hoped for. We also do not expect to complete the conversion project quickly. On the contrary, we want to take one thing after another and see where the path leads us. Fortunately, we do not have any time constraints (rent or similar) that we need to consider. But as I said, the first step now leads to the architect, and then we will see what comes next. Until then, many thanks in advance!

The reason why I’m not coming around the corner now as usual with the link to a similar twin case is solely the current time. But one would have to look back less than a year here.

I just checked and haven’t quite found what I meant yet; for consolation, here are the bycatch of the search: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/bauantrag-verpachteter-landwirtschaftlicher-betrieb.36127/ https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/Grundriss-eines-pferdestallumbaus.36168/ https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/neuerrichtung-eines-gleichartigen-gebaeudes-im-Außenbereich.37740/

Hello everyone,

I’m getting in touch after we consulted again with our architect regarding the most practical approach. A preliminary building inquiry is still not the suitable way due to the current structural condition of the barn. It is currently not "in a condition worth preserving" and therefore would not be eligible for a conversion. Our architect’s quote is "don’t wake sleeping dogs at the building authority before you have brought the barn into an appropriate condition." That’s why the plan remains to renovate the barn (exempt from approval) – achieve a condition worth preserving – then submit a preliminary building inquiry/building application. Our architect sees the chance of obtaining a building permit as very high, based on her experience with other similar projects at the local building authority.

Therefore, we are currently planning the renovation of the barn and want to keep the later change of use and renovation as simple as possible. Hence, we have further developed our floor plan and would like to present it here for discussion. The floor plan is largely based on the existing structure of the barn in terms of windows, openings, walls, etc. on the ground floor. The upper floor has none of these so far and was thus planned relatively freely. Things like the dormer size on the upper floor are of course still open and need to be discussed with the building authority. Dormers in general should be possible, according to our architect; if necessary, we would reduce the size accordingly.

We are aware that this approach carries certain risks and will probably require many compromises during the construction process. However, considering the initial situation and in consultation with the expert architect, this approach is the best. I would therefore ask you, if possible, to focus on the floor plan and not on the building permit aspects.

Unfortunately, I cannot provide photos of the current situation, as my partner does not want these on the Internet for privacy reasons, also with regard to the renovation with the "secret" goal of later change of use. Please excuse that.

So enough talking – here is the current floor plan and I look forward to anyone who can give me tips, suggestions, and advice on this!

That looks pretty good so far.

Is there also a 2 m line on the upper floor?

Roof pitch? Or a section?

The 2 m line on the upper floor is also approximately the blue line. We have a knee wall of 1.50 m and a roof pitch of almost exactly 40 degrees. I will provide a section later.