So, I have read everything through again in peace. I have understood many points of criticism. Many tips are great, some already bordered on the line. Unfortunately, I can’t respond to each one individually. Hopefully, no one takes it the wrong way.
One thing I want to clarify upfront: Neither do we want to shove my parents somewhere into a dark chamber, nor cram them into a very tight space. I would even claim that we have a very good relationship with them. Anything else would be negligent if you plan such a
joint project. By joint, I also mean that they have been involved in the entire planning phase up to now, and we have been continuously consulting with them. And all this voluntarily without the recommendation of a therapist. Everything else that was written was speculated with (admittedly a lot of) imagination. With that, I would like to close the part about the granny flat here. Criticism understood.
But I don’t see the funding for the third unit. It is only possible to split this at some point. Currently, it is a house with a granny flat. Or am I wrong?
I do believe I wrote this before: The third unit results from the fact that we are providing kitchen connections in a children’s room upstairs. And we want to provide them anyway, because we want to at least theoretically expect that the upper floor could
become its own unit.
Me again, I looked at some things again and read carefully.
First of all, thank you very, very much for your very detailed feedback. They are worth gold for us. A few of your questions:
Then I look for the utility room, where you wash laundry… and I see in the guest WC a square, which is the washing machine??? o_O Despite all dislike for laundry washing: that is precisely why in such a nice and spacious house a 6 sqm laundry room should be planned, where one can also hang hand-wash laundry?! I call this a typical architect mistake, not planning something like this :)
Yes, that is supposed to be the washing machine. But we would prefer it in the technical room or would like to turn the technical room into a utility room. We really need to look at that again.
Regarding the granny flat: Is it correct that your parents get the funding? Or if they finance it and you calculate… couldn’t that be a problem?
The financing and funding topics all run centrally through us. We alone act towards the bank/KfW. The rest, we sort out among ourselves with my parents. But of course, they do get a “slice of the pie” for their living unit.
I like the approach… yes… but are you sure your needs are met with this plan?
Not 100% yet. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t be here :)
Yes, I think so. It’s a stylish house, no question. But the upper floor, for example, is really left out. You have to go through a “hallway” to get to the children’s room. I think I would be afraid as a small child to have to open the “apartment door” and then go through there, where it also leads to the garages, to get to the sleeping floor. And what if I sleep restlessly as a child? Then you have a very long and wide way to check on things. I don’t find this family-friendly. Toddlers still have to be checked on quite often. The passage to the chill lounge through a bottleneck by the kitchen is also not everyone’s thing. Basically, the house doesn’t really meet any need properly. It is not a family home, the kitchen is not well positioned for a yuppie house, the apartment may be suitable for an au pair but is not senior-friendly in today’s time.
Anyway, our idea was to separate the hallway from the front door by a wall with a glass door – kind of as a windbreak. But generally your criticism is true. The upper floor is quite “far away,” especially when sitting in the living room. The bottleneck is also still a thorn in my side. Someone before had the idea to swap the kitchen and living room. I like that idea more and more.
A very important thought in my opinion, where all sides should be honest. Strictly according to the motto: Say the bad things right at the start! I also find it equally important that the parents clearly position themselves, because in turn, they can’t necessarily expect that the son will do it just when it occurs to them someday… I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I mean it SERIOUSLY FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE, because such a long cohabitation is nice but can also go sideways if it is not clearly clarified from the start. Often unspoken expectations or wishes simmer quietly under the surface… Consequently, your parents should decide clearly, because you can see the twists you are currently making in planning, because it should cover all wishes and eventualities. So also applies to the parents: Put your cards on the table and ditch the subjunctive!
I don’t take it the wrong way, even though I have to admit that I don’t like the “tone.” I like to discuss. I also don’t see the criticism of the draft as criticism of me personally. Although here it is often mixed. But I think everything should be on a factual level. I don’t attack anyone personally by accusing them of something (which I at best only guessed) and expect to be treated the same way. So, ditch the rough tone, we all love each other! :D
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I have certainly left many questions open now. I’ll have another look later to see if I can answer one or the other question directly.