Floor plan, house layout EFW 150m2, basement + granny flat - feedback desired

Maybe from the beginning we are fixating on the idea that the granny flat should be in the basement.

That's exactly what I don't understand, that you actually give this planning-wise simpler and apparently tax-favorable construct the label "idea" and maybe even fixate on it. In my opinion, for a person you appreciate and from whom you also always benefit, you don't plan a 6sqm bedroom, and that still in the leftover basement; not even for a person you don't like. This very sleeping cave alone indicates the considerable undervaluation of this housemate, since the own bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. are quite generously designed. As repeatedly said also from other sides, a basement remains a basement, no matter how much you try to sugarcoat it. If that's really not possible from a planning perspective at all, which I can't imagine, then you chose the wrong plot for such a lifestyle, which, older person or not, is in a way a shared one. For me personally, a house only becomes beautiful and special when it is not just the mere, stylish building, but a beautiful and protected place for everyone. With older, tendentially weaker people, I think the younger housemates even have a higher obligation to ensure this. Actually, the priorities here seem to be rather on tax advantages; a tax or funding topic would come for me only at the end of the considerations, namely when the interpersonal concerns can really work for everyone. I do not want to attack you with this, but I wanted to clarify a different perspective for you BEFORE this decision; of course, you can decide independently and then it’s none of my business. If the principle is not right, there is no need to discuss details, I suppose I am not the suitable discussion partner here, which is why I better exit your thread. I still think a good solution can be found, which I wish for all of you.

What or whom do you mean?

Now one parent is already alone. Ten years later, parent number 2. Simplified, after the grandmother, eventually a single parent will follow.

Why do you think the living room is better placed in the southwest? Do you need the most light in the sofa area? Do you need the proximity of the terrace to watch TV?

TV + terrace, clear no. It’s about the lighting conditions.

Actually, you need most daylight where you stay during the day.

Exactly, that’s why we place the kitchen in the east.
In summer, it’s simple: terrace only.
In spring, autumn, and winter, you spend the day with kids somewhere around the living room / dining area / window seat.
If we had the exit to the terrace directly between the kitchen units and the island, I would see the advantage. But if the exit is anyway directly behind the island, I wonder if you’d benefit that much. For putting things down, the path is shorter. Otherwise, it’s roughly 3m vs. 6m to the fridge.

The kitchen belongs to the terrace, where in summer you constantly go from outside to the fridge.

If that works, ok. Then the living room is in the east and considerably darker, especially if it remains separated in an L-shape.

Replacing the pantry/AB with these dimensions is tight with three tall cabinets.

Yes, roughly, rather 4-5, and a freezer would still fit in there. In terms of area, that would already be different. And shelves in the pantry cost fractions of the kitchen.

I don’t want to attack you with this, but before this decision I wanted to clarify a different perspective to you; of course, you can decide independently and then it’s none of my business.

No offense taken. Many of you work with this daily and know all possible scenarios. We feel like we deal with the topic day and night and may be getting lost in thoughts. You only get perspectives when there is independent input like here from you. That helps and encourages us to throw everything overboard again, just as you say: BEFORE the decision. I will try to explain the development once more, how we basically got here. This is not an explanation of the sqm sizes. Primary: We would like a home for ourselves. Coming from the space requirement we roughly end up at 140m2. We want some garden. As much light as possible. L-shape in the open-plan area. For the rest, we are open to everything. The long list of requirements is a "wish list". Because next to us is a bungalow and we like flat roofs, that was the first thought. There are restrictions from the building authority regarding setbacks and so on. Secondary: We would like a granny flat for single elderly persons from the family. Small, compact, probably for the family for about 20 years and then rentable. The plot seems good enough, even if it isn’t easy. That is not up for discussion. The idea with the slope was to use it, among other things, because the houses to the left and right of us do that. We have looked at countless solutions with basements in the area. The visual and spatial separation appeals to us mentally. As laymen, we could draw as much as we wanted ourselves. Without professional software and various sizes and inputs for walls, ceilings, etc., we didn’t get any further from a certain point on. Then we involved the freelance architect and discussed the inputs (longlist, granny flat including some ideas and photos). We asked the architect from the beginning to set the height as high as possible. That has not happened so far. Instead of discarding the design, we obviously started to optimize ourselves trapped in that grid. Regarding the granny flat, it was then about how to get a compact bedroom and an open-plan area as large as possible. The result: many compromises, the granny flat as it is. Conclusion with your input so far: We are going back to the drawing board and will try a completely different design.

Yes, roughly, more like 4-5 and a freezer would also fit in there. In terms of area, that would be something different. And shelves in the pantry cost a fraction of the kitchen.

But you won’t be able to install shelves deeper than 30-35cm. Because of your 60cm opening, you first have to get a freezer through.

But you won’t be able to install shelves deeper than 30-35cm. However, you first have to get a freezer through your 60cm opening.

Thanks for the feedback.
There are also freezers with a width of 54cm. But basically, it’s something that argues against a 60cm passage.

Regarding the shelves: 30-35cm is easy. If we have a net depth of 120cm, 50cm depths have also been proven practical for us. We currently have that outside in the storage room and it works fine. But that is getting too much into details again.

Hello Hanse987, Thank you for your opinion. What works for you? Does the apartment have to be out of the basement? Would it help to raise the basement level? What is wrong with the design? From pure rejection, I can hardly draw any input that helps us improve the overall situation. Do you have a granny flat or have you ever lived in a basement yourself and speak from experience?

Because you mentioned me, here is my answer. With the section view in your first post, one can only see over the turf while standing. Older people sit a lot, but with your design, the view is rather poor. I don't think the basement is bad for living, but it should offer a bit more than just a light well. Additionally, an apartment intended for older people should be reasonably barrier-free. This means one should be able to move freely with a walker. And there, for example, I find the bathroom very borderline. Additionally, from my point of view, access should be without steps. These are my thoughts on the subject.