Floor plan of a single-family house 240 m² with a partially built-over garage

The consequence will be that two years after moving in, one is already considering where to extend again, because despite 240sqm there is too little space everywhere.

I believe that less now.. there is space after all. But in my eyes, there was already improvisation during planning, and that causes dissatisfaction.

What I completely forgot: Thanks for the revision sketch! Indeed, such a variant has already been the favorite twice, but each time lost out to the other: Better separation of the kitchen and direct living room access won out against the numerically better space distribution, the light axis, and the shorter route with shopping.

I'm not entirely convinced by this one, but that's always a gradual matter, as the bathroom also shows: Throughout my childhood, the main bathroom of the four-person family was less than 2m wide, and that was only marginally disadvantageous with parallel use – which is alleviated by the doubling anyway. A less tube-shaped room may appear more like a bathing landscape, but that seems bearable, especially since I’ll probably spend more time in the indulgent hallways, where, if necessary, a sense of generosity can be achieved instead through more elaborate design.

But the 240m² were not chosen out of a desire for a glamorous area, but because a small guest apartment on the ground floor and this multipurpose room on the upper floor were desired, plus all the wishes regarding layout given the location. What one now regards as relevant comfort is subjective, of course. That the design "misses the usual basic human needs a bit" is probably only compatible with a level of expectation that would rate many of the real apartments existing in this country as similarly unacceptable – I read this as: "if 240m², then XYZ."

A utility room would of course be a nice thing – there were also designs with one, which overall did not convince. But if there really is an absolute laundry emergency, then once every decade the bubble bath that just happened to have started will be interrupted.

The doors "at the head" are probably not Feng Shui-compatible, but after extensive pondering of the disadvantages of the direct alternatives, I was able to make my peace with it. The people in Cologne say "Every fool is different," and some even put the bathtub in the bedroom...

If one considers resale, a more majority-acceptable prioritization might be financially wiser, but for me, it is a certain luxury to pay less attention to that. That I am already wrong in assessing my own reaction to future life in the house might of course also be the case, but as long as you can't build it from Lego beforehand and do a test stay, the residual risk cannot be avoided. This applies all the more inversely if you were to choose a design by a third party that, while praised in professional circles, does not appeal to you personally at present.

And yes, maybe an N-th foreign design would be more to my liking, but not least after having wasted all this time myself, I would first try to submit the application in the direction shown. Should the authorities reject the floor area calculation because of the dormers, the reverse gear must be engaged anyway.

I admit, however, that the effort of an architect right at the start of the process would have paid off – or better, several, each for a fixed price below HOAI just for the bare floor plan, at least if you want to experiment yourself in 3D software anyway.

I admit, however, that the effort of an architect at the very beginning of the process would have been worthwhile – or better yet, several, each at a fixed price below HOAI for the bare floor plan, at least if you want to experiment yourself in 3D software anyway.

The misconception of the architect as an "experienced floor plan painter" is unfortunately ineradicable and is causally linked to considering him paid too royally. Trial & Error and "unlimited Monkey" are, in my firm conviction, unsuitable alternatives to methodical design genesis.

And yes, perhaps an Nth external design would be more appealing, but not least after having wasted all this time myself, I would first try the application in the shown direction. If the authority rejects the floor calculation due to the dormers, the reverse gear will have to be engaged again anyway.

The late "command back" is "time wasting perfected" and the best argument for building preliminary consultations.

That I am already wrong in assessing my own reaction to future life in the house may of course also be true, but as long as you cannot build and test live with Lego beforehand, the residual risk cannot be avoided. This applies even more so conversely, if you would decide on the design of a third party that is praised in professional circles but currently does not appeal to you personally.

There are both "life-size floor plans" and other offers to test your planning projected 1:1 or in VR. Such things should also be exercised with professional designs if, as increasingly often with the currently first-time building generation, you have difficulty imagining spaces.

This misperception may exist, but I did not want to express it here, rather only that even those who, contrary to the local recommendation, want to design the draft themselves can benefit from competent inspiration and advice, especially if from many sources instead of just one. The use of other services is independent of this, provided the chosen architect is willing to work with such a client.

As for the preliminary building inquiry, I rely on the experience of the contractor, but will probably bring up the option again.

The "life-size floor plan" is a familiar concept to me and surely has its users, but any possible discomfort from a nighttime proximity to the bathroom door will not be much easier to assess — I could just as well put a cardboard door next to my bed.

One can only wish a lot of luck here. Learning through experience is known to be the bitterest way, and with around 700k in tuition fees, it is also properly paid for.

I believe that you, like so many builders, do not know the difference between good and bad architecture. By architecture, I do not primarily mean the outer shell but the quality of spatial design. You can live in the most impossible floor plans and lead a beautiful life. Sometimes, especially in old buildings, strange details can even exude a special charm and show individuality.

But although many laypeople are not consciously aware of the difference, they do feel it. Well-planned spaces are something very special. My mother lives in a residential complex from the 1920s by a known architect. The apartment is not particularly large, but phenomenally well planned. Room size, room shape, windows, everything is harmonious. You just feel it without being able to name it. The apartment is perceived by all visitors as very cozy; you simply feel comfortable without needing to have an incredible knack for interior design.