Floor plan multigenerational house conversion old barn

Because of the pillar and the beam: the beam is needed due to the extreme wind load on the building. The north wind exerted so much pressure on the roof that, for example, the south wall is completely crooked. Therefore, it must be rebuilt (and will thus be set back about 60 cm inward to increase the height of the south side).

At the beginning of this paragraph, I briefly had the thought that a wind brace was now being discussed here, but as I read on, I understood only gibberish (if anything at all). With unclear terminology and occasional textual and occasional visual directional confusion, you manage in a similarly almost impressive way as to make me feel too old to follow the explanations—similar to quickly cut flickering video clips that apparently no longer target my age group "clearly over 29." I will therefore probably disengage from this thread as well.

At the beginning of this paragraph, the thought briefly flashed through my mind that a wind brace was now being discussed here, but further on I was again completely lost (if at all). With blurry terminology and sometimes textual – sometimes pictorial directional confusion, you manage in a similarly almost impressive way as to make me feel too old to follow the explanations – similar to quickly cut flickering video clips that apparently no longer address my age group "clearly over 29" as a target audience. Therefore, I will probably also disconnect from this thread.

Funny enough, I think I understand what the original poster means. Which in turn proves that communication on equal footing (here two laymen) is easier :).

In the pictures, you can see that the roof does not completely support itself, but support beams run from the floor to the roof. However, not just a simple straight beam (like we have), but additional "slanted beams" branch off the beam toward the roof. These "slanted beams" not only take loads from above (ridge of the roof), but also loads caused by wind (side roof surface) and therefore must remain as they are.

Regarding the wall, it appears to be crooked. To compensate for this, it is being rebuilt. Here I was/am unsure whether the OP means that the original wall is being demolished. Based on the described height discrepancy, I assume that what is meant is that a new wall is basically being added at least on the inside. This keeps the roof height the same, but the wall height changes, and the footprint changes from 30x18 to 30x17.4 (with a 60 cm offset).

Correct, derclaus?

I had the feeling that someone asked how you want to use the rooms without windows (from memory, above the bedroom).
Would you like to tell us about it?

Thanks for the question. I'd like to tell you and get inspired.

The room above the bedroom was supposed to become an airlock room to the barn behind it: shoes, jackets + possibly storage for food, if there is no other option for that. Alternatively, there is also the possibility to move the kitchen, which is now located on the south side, into the interior of the living/dining area and put a room behind it.

I want to put down on paper the current ideas, prices, info about the floor plans once more & have them "reviewed" - if anyone feels like it. I would be very happy. I'm doing this now because, in my opinion, we have drifted a bit off-topic with the issues of the "south wall" and "pillars." I also cannot discuss or elaborate on these matters any further. The south wall will be moved and about 285 high, and the pillars will stay where they are. Over! :p:D

Attached are draft A and B.

These two drafts have, in my view, the disadvantage of being too convoluted, the bathroom is too small, and the living room also seems too convoluted and small to me. I also find the area in front of the stairs in draft A too large – and especially in draft A, the living room is too open towards the stairs (because of noise, privacy, etc.). But I actually don't mind corners, because, for example, I like that the doors to the utility room and the parents’ section are not directly visible from the hallway. Currently, the kitchen is in the south, which is sunny and nice, but as a pantry, only the utility room would be suitable. That's possible, but not quite practical.

In my further attempts, the current status is as follows. Attached is draft 01.

There are two points with 01: living room and parents’ section.

Regarding the living room, I don’t know if I should extend it to the north wall or maybe place a straight staircase behind the living room or even move the kitchen away from the window and create a (small) pantry behind it. The problem with that is: the staircase will be very dark (because no light will come from above either). So I tend more to relocate the kitchen to the back. Or just leave everything as it is. Then the sofa would be more at the back, rather dark, but that would work as well.

Regarding the parents’ section, the basic idea is ok, only the bathroom is too small for me. Bigger would be nicer.

If you only consider the parents’ section, I also think it’s conceivable to enter through a kind of dressing room with a built-in wardrobe. Then you have the option to go to the bathroom or the bedroom. And if the bedroom door is closed, you can move between the bathroom and dressing room without disturbing the other sleeper. I don't find the guest toilet drawer here (above the dressing room) very successful.

There is draft 02. The staircase plays no role now, I just placed it like that. The idea is: why not have a straight staircase in the hallway, for example, if you put a skylight in the upper floor, which would also bring light to the upper floor hallway.

And not to forget: these darn pillars that run from the ground floor to the upper floor (plus the beam that runs from these pillars in the upper floor to the back). Attached are the ground floor and upper floor. The width of the south side should preferably not be more than 16 m. We should stay within that range.

Once again the essential points:

Ground floor: living/dining room, fireplace, seat window, terrace doors, floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, parents’ bedroom, bathroom, dressing room, guest toilet, utility room, it would be nice to have a pantry next to the kitchen (but not a must)

Upper floor: 3 children's rooms, bathroom – possibly workspace (but lowest priority)

General challenge: sun only comes into the building through the south side, south wall about 280 m high, roof pitch about 45 degrees, a window option on the free west side, preferably no dormers but only skylights (for cost reasons), two large pillars present each with a beam on the upper floor

Finally attached are two photos of the current barn. One from outside, showing the west and south side, and one taken inside; standing next to the western pillar.

I know that this is "a lot to read" and understand. But all suggestions or input are helpful to me in this phase and are gladly accepted. Thank you.

At the beginning of this paragraph, the thought briefly flashed through my mind that a wind brace was now being discussed, but as it went on I once again understood nothing (if anything at all). With fuzzy definitions and occasional textual - then visual directional confusions, you manage in a similarly almost impressive way as to make me feel too old to follow the explanations – similar to fast-cut flickering video clips that apparently no longer target my age group "clearly over 29." Therefore, I will probably also disconnect from this thread.

Dear 11ant – that will likely have much more to do with my communication, which is not "distinctly clear" enough...

I will check that later or over the weekend. Some things are crappy on the phone, and the iPad no longer works with [Hausbauforum]. You didn't mention any room plan for such ancillary rooms like an airlock or something..,

In the pictures, you can see that the roof does not fully support itself, but there are support beams going from the floor to the roof. However, not just a simple straight beam (like we have), but the beam has additional "angled beams" leading towards the roof. These "angled beams" not only bear loads from above (roof ridge) but also loads from wind (side roof surface) and therefore must remain as they are.

Regarding the wall, it is apparently crooked. To compensate for this, it is being rebuilt. Here I was/am unsure whether the OP means that the original wall is being demolished. Based on the described height discrepancy, I assume that she means that basically a new wall is at least being set up inside. This keeps the roof height the same, but the wall height changes, and the floor plan changes from 30x18 to 30x17.4 (with 60cm offset).

Right, derclaus?

Very good and almost everything correct. Wonderful.

The wall will be set inward as you say, and we gain ceiling height but lose a bit of floor area. The only important point to note is that with this construction, we are not allowed to use 30m on the south side but should be limited to 16m.

As for the pillars and support beams, it is only like this (see also drawing): the support beams towards the roof can go. They go to the south and do not matter during north wind. The thick support beam from the pillar (towards the north) remains. And this applies to both pillars, each pillar has such a support beam. Note: if you look at the picture carefully, there are even two support pillars from the beams towards the east and west. However, I did not mention these at all, as they will also go. What is green basically stays. I hope the picture makes everything clearer...

Thanks again for your input. :)