Floor plan evaluation single-family house 147m2 gable roof with extension

My primary criticism relates to the orientation of the terrace - it is in the shade for most of the year - only in the weeks when the sun is at its highest will it have midday sun - just when you don’t really need it.

Yes, that is mostly true. The upper area gets sun relatively early and also in spring/autumn. The plot’s orientation is not optimal. But it’s also not as if there was much choice ;-) We decided on it anyway, knowing there would be little sun. We have tried to observe our behavior and we almost never actually sit in direct sun. We therefore hope we will manage with it.

I would rotate the house 90° counterclockwise - plant a dense hedge towards the street. Cover the terrace in the corner of the house (3x5m) and provide sun protection.

I would also arrange the interior of the house differently. The kitchen goes to the end of the house where the study is now; then the dining area; on the other side of the house the living room and the study with bathroom. - Main entrance then from the east - from the carport - the garden room goes in the northeast corner of the plot

It’s not that simple to just rotate it since the gable has to have a certain orientation. So it would need to be substantially redesigned. I rule out putting the garden towards the street - then better to have no sun on the entire terrace. Actually, I nearly like the orientation. Currently, we have a south-facing direction which means you sit in the dark all day because the shutters are halfway down (this could probably be solved better with venetian blinds). I can’t quite follow the rest anymore.

Ok, all good then. I don’t understand why a floor plan is then put up for discussion. And yes, especially if the kitchen is supposed to be THE CENTER OF LIFE!, I would all the more not make it the main traffic area. If I stay somewhere for a longer time or with several people, I don’t want someone constantly walking through. Especially with two teenagers and their friends, that otherwise becomes quite a hassle. You turn the central place into the most restless, into a non-staying zone.

Do you use the garage as a storage room or is a car supposed to go in there? It is a bit narrow, or only a very slim driver may use it.

I also find the terrace a bit shady. I would adopt the changes from YPG.

North-facing windows – we have several – you quickly notice during the winter half-year that it is darker and you need more artificial light. Now, during the heat, they are of course great. No sun making you squint and heating up the rooms.

Let's see :-D. Basically, it should be used (but we will probably have a carport instead). And yes, it is narrow. That is one of the compromises we consciously make due to the very small plot of land.

Which changes from YPG? I did not find the redesign of the upper floor much better. I want to avoid having the bedroom on the south side. I agree with the door orientation.

Ok, everything’s cool then. I don’t understand why a floor plan is being put up for discussion. And yes, especially if the kitchen is THE CENTER OF LIFE! then I definitely wouldn’t make it the main traffic area. If I stay somewhere for a longer time or with several people, I don’t want someone constantly walking through. Especially with two teenagers and their friends, that would otherwise be a lot of fun. You turn the central place into the most restless, a non-living zone.

Hey, sorry if something came across the wrong way. Actually, I try to deal constructively with your objections. I try to explain my position and clarify the current situation or present my reasons. That’s why I counter most of the arguments made. I hope that doesn’t seem inflexible, but of course it’s not easy to change one’s mind or be open to everything. With written discussions, a lot can always be read into things. I actually find the discussion so far very successful. I have already taken note of some points that I still need to clarify in the design. Thanks for that! Regarding the kitchen. Apparently, I’m thinking differently than the average. For cozy, quiet lingering, there is the separate living room. For communication, etc., the lively kitchen. I’m happy when I get to see the other family members now and then. Admittedly, I don’t know the situation with teenagers yet; it’s possible that I’m misjudging it, but currently the traffic volume is actually quite limited.

It's not like the kitchen area is big either. At the moment, the furnishing is not realistic. 60 cm of counter plus 1.30 m passage plus 1 m island – that already makes 3 m, and then the dining table on 2.50 m? That's actually too tight. And take a look at typical traffic patterns – your work area is the high traffic area of the house. I would rather swap the dining table with the kitchen island.

The ground floor layout simply looks like DINKS and not like a family with children. I can easily imagine it as a set for a Tatort episode in an affluent milieu in a Munich suburb. ;)