Floor plan single-family house approx. 140 m² for discussion

Very strange. The house is being enlarged by half a meter because space is tight everywhere, and then they install a space-consuming platform staircase. Such nonsense! This makes the living room even narrower and forces access to the office downstairs according to the plan, which makes the office bigger.
Putting such massive walls around the staircase is also horrible.

The children's rooms are huge, which is not bad at first, but ridiculous if there is no room for the laundry. Because the space intended as a washing machine room is unusable and a disaster in every respect.

I think you could gain a lot if you forego the platform staircase and replace it with a space-saving half-turn staircase. Upstairs then slightly less children's room, but a proper utility room wouldn't be wrong. You must not forget, the utility room benefits everyone, including the children.

I must say that you share my or rather our thoughts exactly. In this respect, I feel confirmed that the staircase now represents a deterioration disguised as an improvement.

The shower in the toilet will definitely be removed again; such a shower is supposed to go in the basement for the "dirt sluice". Instead, the garage entrance should be designed more generously.

Regarding the kitchen, I have to defend the drafter a bit. He only received the wall dimensions; the actual kitchen (stove etc.) looks different. I only wonder why a kitchen window was changed, even though it was not requested. But well, that is the least problem.

What bothers me most, as I said, is the living room. It would have been more sensible to keep the old dimensions and put the office entirely in the basement. So now we end up with almost 150 m², but there is no sensible space for the living room – I don't think that can be right.

We will also look into the upper floor again. There is definitely space for a small utility room. In my opinion, everything depends on the design of the staircase.

Otherwise, thanks already for the hints!

: The basement is out of the question for us. Even if it were initially used only as pure storage space (which it certainly won't be), I think it would be a waste not to take advantage of this beautiful slope.

Attached are the site plan as well as a picture from the earth mound where the house will go, looking southwards. The roads are currently being built – the development will take about another 2-3 months.

The basement is out of the question for us. Even if it were initially used only as pure storage space (which it certainly won’t be), I think it would be a waste to forgo it on such a beautiful slope.

I think that with a slope it is far too much of a pity to bury the basement in the ground and not use it as living space. Basement rooms can still be sunk into the inner slope, but the large south-facing surface should be used for more than just typical basement rooms. Think about it, because I believe you don’t understand what I’m getting at: Give each floor 100 sqm, the lower level an all-purpose room with a south front and direct access to the garden, with the ancillary rooms to the north. On the ground floor then the bedrooms with south fronts, panoramic views for the children, bedroom to the east or something like that. Utility room to the north. This is an added value compared to a house with two staircases, where you cram a completely underground functional basement under a pitched roof house. It could also have its charms price-wise, besides the fact that everything becomes more spacious, because the basement should/must then probably also be partly heated?

Yes, of course, the three floors will be both heated and equipped with a ventilation system.

Thank you for the note, unfortunately I am not entirely convinced by this concept. It is probably due to (old) habits.

In any case, I will call our planner this afternoon - the staircase just won't work like that.

Would also plan the open space with living room, dining, and kitchen in the basement. You have one less level and direct garden access. Basements no longer have anything to do with being dark, damp, or having low ceilings.

Why dark and damp?

For me, the principle of omitting this level and instead creating a house with a larger footprint does not make sense. I really like the idea of a raised terrace (with a great view) and underneath it an access area with storage for the smoker, the lawnmower, etc. I could store the wood underneath. Next to it, one could still plan a hobby room with an exterior window on the [KG]-front side or, as already mentioned, if necessary, another office – especially since it’s also possible that my job might one day require a proper home office.

My problem with the design is explicitly not the basement. We will design it as it suits us – it works just as well in the shell condition for now. Initially, I also considered leaving out the floor plan for the [KG] because I knew that it would otherwise spark the fundamental discussion. But of course, thanks for your opinions anyway!

What I currently cannot quite understand, as I said, is why no reasonable solution for the expressed wishes has been presented for this floor area. I would like to collect as many ideas as possible for this so that the next design will finally create clarity.

I have to say that unfortunately we have been dealing with some delays (with the last design) in recent weeks – maybe some change requests were overlooked. Therefore, I would like to clarify these again promptly.

My problem with the draft is explicitly not the basement.

That is understandable. It is the living room or rather these 37 square meters that are not sufficient. However, changes are usually and often dependent on other factors, especially in a size range.

And the most obvious thought arises when you have a hillside property.
If storage space is that important to you... yes, it is important, but I would now optimize other factors so that the rest adjusts.

As a nurse, you should know why levels are omitted, both inside the house and outside.