Floor plan optimization single-family house on a slope, single-story + basement

Hello Ventreri,

thanks for asking, the earthworks have just started, but I’ll summarize everything we can currently say.

Our driveway is about 35-40 m long, the slope starts at 7%, then goes to 15%, and then runs out again at 7%.

The excavation and the driveway are being carried out by a local company. We are building with an architect and in individual contracts. For us, it was especially important to agree on a fixed price for the earthworks and slope stabilization, and the company agreed to this.

We are asphalting our driveway. It was said that we could also pave it, but we were rather advised to use asphalt. (Unfortunately, I can’t remember all the reasons for every decision anymore. I think it was because of the stability, since individual paving stones can shift, but please don’t hold me to that.) During the construction phase, no final layer will be applied on the driveway yet. That will come when the house is finished, the driveway can still be used normally without anything getting damaged. The area in front of the garage is planned as paving for now.

For the slope stabilization, we could choose between L-shaped stones and granite stones. Since the slope stabilization is in front of the house, we decided on the granite stones (approximately €7000 in extra costs). In one picture, I have marked our driveway in red and the area to be stabilized in turquoise. There is already a small retaining wall on our property, which is why there is a break in the turquoise line on one side. I hope that the slope of the hill can be roughly recognized from the attached pictures.

If you want to know anything specific, just ask.

(I should also say about the aerial photos that they were taken with license and permission.)

Small note: Behind the house we do not need to secure anything or remove anything anymore. We raised our house by half a meter compared to the first plan in consultation with the architect, structural and civil engineering. As a result, at the back we are almost level (as level as it can be on such a slope) and can leave the natural terrain after the terrace.

We raised our house by half a meter compared to the initial plan in consultation with the architect, structural engineers for above and below ground. As a result, at the back we come out almost level (as level as it can be on such a slope) and can leave the natural terrain after the terrace.

I would have suggested that after reviewing section A as well. However, the driveway has become a bit steeper.

I would have suggested that after reviewing Cut A as well. However, the driveway has become a bit steeper.

You are right. I took the information from the old plan. :oops: We made the driveway 1 - 1.5 degrees steeper to reach the 50 cm. Since it is now very steep, the architect coordinated this directly on the property with the civil engineering. If they had advised against it, we would have left it as is. (These 15% apparently correspond to a standard or something...) It was also important to me because every cm of height gives us more light in winter, since we are quite deep in the valley.

You're right. I took the information from the old plan.:oops: We made the driveway 1 -1.5 degrees steeper to reach the 50 cm. Since it is very steep now, the architect clarified this directly on the property with the civil engineers. If they had advised against it, we would have left it. (These 15% apparently correspond to a standard or something...) For me, it was also important because every cm of height brings us more light in winter, as we are quite in the valley

Yes, the 15% is a guideline. The somewhat higher location on the north slope is quite sensible. I hope for you that no construction is or will be in front of your house to the south. Unfortunately, you can't see that on any plan.

I hope for you that there is no construction in front of your house to the south or that none will come. Unfortunately, you can't see that on any plan.

I found some plans on our city’s website and doodled around a bit. Our plot is luckily already quite long. In total about 80 meters. Behind the house, we still have about 50 meters to the property boundary towards the southwest. Beyond that, the village ends and there is agriculturally used land. Apparently, some years ago it was already discussed to expand the new development area along the red street. So we will see what time will bring. This winter we looked at the shadow pattern of the house marked in red (basement + 2 full floors). If another house like that is built next to it, it should still be enough for our sun (and the 50 cm really make a big difference here) :)