Floor plan of our dream house

I thought our architect, who is also the general contractor, was good. He came home so that he could better understand the homeowners. He listened, sketched with a pencil. Honestly, if he sees rustic oak and country kitchen, he doesn’t need to come with Bauhaus. If you want, take a look at Wir Leben Haus. Ask for Mr. Kleinhenz. Michael Albert from Albert Haus is also very flexible. It’s not like only pencil pushers sit at the GCs. You need someone who’s excited about the project. You know what you want. Put that into words with a bunch of example photos and it will be a beautiful, well-rounded villa without narrow, winding hallways.

This is again one of those threads where I wonder why the professional group of architects is so often denied their professional competence. No one would start fiddling with their own teeth using a drill. Why do so many people consider themselves draftsmen? (...)

Because there are programs that suggest it's not that difficult at all. It's like in project management... with the BER, politicians also thought they didn't need a professional but could manage the construction on their own...

I tried to sketch the site plan. I failed. It's a square plot, about 35x35m.

Well, someone who thinks they can plan a house should at least be able to draw a square :D

This is my picture – I repeat: MY picture of an architect's house.

You tell the architect about YOUR house. And that's exactly how there are other demands; some have had wishes with lots of glass or other features implemented.

On the topic of the staircase: someone said it presses against the entrance. Maybe someone can explain that in more detail, as I am not sure what he/she means by that.

The staircase doesn't fit there as it is. You design practical, quickly passable routes without detours. And not so that it’s easier one day with a walker, but so that you can orient yourself with healthy legs, for example in the dark, but also when the day’s work has to be done quickly. Either you have to walk around or avoid a lot with this design. The details such as labyrinth-like hallway, staircase, corners of rooms that are somehow disharmonious and furniture that doesn’t quite fit because it blocks the way (dining area) have already been mentioned in other posts.

For me(!) the classic "architect's house" is a house completely inappropriate to its surroundings, perhaps with a huge glass facade to guarantee the wow effect. A soulless glass and concrete block that in no way reflects its inhabitants, but only serves as another eternalization of the creator. Extraordinary, but impractical. That is my image - I repeat: MY image of an architect's house.

Someone clearly has completely wrong ideas. Choosing an architect is almost like choosing a tailor. You go to the one who fits you best and appeals to you. The hardest part is the search itself. But thanks to the internet, as a client you are already further ahead than 50 years ago. Most architects present themselves and their projects online. That's how you quickly realize who would be able to understand your wishes.

Word of mouth is of course still an important medium. When looking for an architect, you can simply look around for a newly built house you like. Then you ask that client for contact details – just don’t be shy!

In any case, there is surely an architect who understands you exactly. But please don’t bring your own DIY creation! That gives a bad impression and hinders creativity.

There is definitely an architect who understands you exactly. But please do not bring your own creation! That makes a bad impression and prevents creativity.

No, I advise against it solely because it clouds the architect's "blank sheet" with the previously shown personal draft. This is not fundamentally embarrassing, as a layperson not presenting a brilliant design "to be topped." From my experience, there is no objection to showing it later; the only thing to avoid is "vaccinating" creativity with something that will involuntarily act as a guideline: "Don't think of a yellow eleven" is known not to work intentionally if the "don't" is meant seriously.

Sorry for the frank words, you asked for feedback, here it is.

No problem! Just like you said, I asked for feedback or constructive criticism and I’m really grateful for it! As long as we remain polite with each other and the posts don’t slip into insults. Some are occasionally borderline, and some keyboard warriors sometimes forget their good manners. But you just have to ignore them ;)