Floor plan, KfW55EE semi-detached house 150m², 380m² plot, 2nd row

How is the property boundary designed in the NW? Soft or hard boundary? ... Has it actually been discussed whether you are allowed to build further out towards the garden? For example, only a narrow conservatory (flower window) on the ground floor that also captures light from above? ... What is NW of the property? ... You seem to be relatively bird-free back there if there is no development in the NW?

The most important thing in this context is probably that, according to the development plan, no ancillary facilities are allowed in the garden area. The garden area starts directly behind the blue line behind the garage/house. That means we cannot expand structurally to the NW.

Did I miss it? Why the gigantic garage now, if it totally restricts you with only one car maneuver allowed that permits nothing except driving straight ahead?

We wouldn't even need a garage for the car, it is currently parked outside. But since we cannot build a basement, we need space for:

[*]Building services (hot water boiler and technology for photovoltaics) [*]Workbench [*]Bicycles [*]Winter/summer tires [*]Crates of drinks [*]possibly more groceries [*]etc.

If the front property gets its parking spot where you have drawn it, then you could create a shared driveway WITHOUT a green strip, so that you would both always have space to turn around. Maybe even a carport/carport extension with a storage room each behind for bicycles and trash bins?!

The idea is good, and the access road up to the parking space of the front house is also financed jointly. However, it is quite challenging to negotiate with the owner because he wants to spend as little money as possible and use as little land as possible for the access road. The area immediately near the parking space could still be designed without a green strip to make turning easier, which would be beneficial to both parties. But a shared carport or something like that is unfortunately not possible, especially since there is no space for it on our property and it would block even more light.

What is the workshop for?

Even in the rental apartment, I keep building things where I have to help myself with saw horses on the balcony, in the yard, or the stairwell. With our own house, it will certainly not get any less, so having space for a workbench would be great.

Then the now planned garage will take away the last of your natural light on this side of the ground floor, won’t it?

Yes, the light situation is already not great and this certainly doesn’t make it any better since we will lose two windows that would get morning light. However, considering what it would mean to give up the space for the above-mentioned items, our assessment leads to a preference for a garage. To improve the light situation at least a little, we thought of a larger interior window/skylight between the study and kitchen as well as upstairs between the bathroom and stairwell.

Fitting an office with two workstations and additionally a sofa bed into just under 12 square meters, I consider to be quite a challenging task.

I consider it quite a challenging task to accommodate an office with two workstations and additionally a sofa bed in just under 12 sqm.

I am currently building the house with Sweet Home 3D and have noticed exactly that. Here the idea is to possibly move the wall a little towards the kitchen.

Version 1: I find the space for the seating area a bit tight, but a smaller sofa could fit there. Could the fireplace become a bit cramped on the interior wall next to the door? That shouldn't be underestimated! Especially if you also want to have a wood storage, etc.

Version 2: Fitting the kitchen, dining area, and seating area into ~8 m length is really tight. The width of >5 m is great, but ultimately doesn't help much. We have the seating and dining area in about 8 m, and I find that airy and okay, but it shouldn't be much less. Otherwise, you almost end up sitting right at the kitchen countertop..

The most important thing in this context is probably that according to the development plan no ancillary buildings are allowed in the garden area.

That's not what I mean by free as a bird! The question is whether anyone can look inside. Whether there is still traffic, someone lives there. If not, then I would fill everything with windows wherever possible.

Building services (hot water boiler and technology for photovoltaics)

But not in the garage?!

Beverage crates

It’s not heated, the garage?

To at least slightly improve the lighting situation, we thought

I was thinking of a glass bay window, one meter deep, 4-5 meters wide. Or across the entire width of the house, open at the top. A conservatory, so to speak.

I’m currently building the house with Sweet Home 3D and have noticed exactly that. Here the idea is possibly to move the wall a bit towards the kitchen.

Show me!

Maybe like this: smaller office with partition wall, which can be moved “in old age.” Because “in old age” you don’t need that much lounge space and the dining area can then also be reduced. (If you even do it "in old age,” sleeping on the ground floor… :rolleyes:) The jack-of-all-trades now severely restricts the next 20 years.
Storage under the stairs.
A guest could use the sofa or the children’s room, whatever… or the hotel… second workplace… let’s be honest: people will sit at the dining table. (Or in my suggestion with the conservatory. You can't or shouldn’t expect now that this rather compact house can adapt to every situation. That restricts everyday life far too much.
But don’t forget that you could also set up an emergency reserve in the attic as a guest/office: it will be cozy, but it’s doable. For that, have a cheaper narrower staircase installed above the existing one right away. There could also be a roof window to provide light from above if the staircase to the attic has no risers.
I would then place the fireplace on the west side; otherwise, it will get too warm for everyone.

I would be very cautious with the garage if you want to plan and use it right from the start solely as a storage, warehouse, technical, and workshop room and there is no longer any space for the car. Keyword: intended purpose of the garage. Friends of ours (Bavaria) were reported because they used the garage as a storage room for their company; their car was always parked on the street. Neighbors saw that the garage was completely filled with other stuff and informed the authorities, resulting in the use of the garage (which was a boundary construction) for other purposes being prohibited. They also had to pay a fine.