Help needed with window arrangement!

To turn a window into a light strip, you should pay attention to the proportions. If you take 70 cm in height, 180 - 200 cm in width fits very well.
We have a window with 70 height and 150 width - unfortunately it couldn’t be wider because then the roof structure starts... is it a strip now? I don’t think so, but it fits with the same dimensions to another window on the same front, which is just set vertically.
Basically, all windows should end flush at the top. But of course there is a special spatial effect if, for example, you set a window lower - wherever it fits: for example above a kitchen counter. Our window strip there is only 50 cm high, 10 cm higher than the work surface and draws the eye to the narrow ground bed in front of it, i.e. the herb bed (seen at Viebrockhaus). Also, you can then reach the hanging cabinets above it.
I definitely find 1 meter height for a window strip too high. That would just be a window with an elevated sill.
I think it’s good if you take a patio door with the dimensions of 80 width and set it accordingly horizontally: that way you don’t have to deal with too many different window dimensions.

I don’t find your west window in the dining area successful: why no exit here? You should also be able to go out from the kitchen if the conditions are right. You now only have one exit to the terrace - with a tray and salad bowl in the evening during grilling it is quite a challenge to juggle past the chairs. But I think I already mentioned that in the other thread.

Wasn’t there a guest room?
Are you now leaving the ceiling open to the top in the living room? Without this feature it would be a corridor room with a crushing ceiling.

How do I say it nicely? ------ Your floor plan is rubbish!

This floor plan comes from a planner, but he only implemented our wishes.

That then falls into the category of "stamping clerk." A licensed builder praises the customer for their great floor plan, copies it dutifully, and waits for payment. In case of problems, the customer's drawing is dug out, "You wanted it like this!"

Finding a reasonable floor plan here is an extreme challenge, since everything revolves around the staircase in the middle.

Nothing in this statement is true.

As an example of how you are wasting money:
Every sqm will cost you from EUR 1500 upwards.
Your living-dining-cooking area is 55 sqm, your kitchen does not work, the access is unacceptable, despite space the dining area is cramped, the living area has no connection to the outside, there is a gloomy free space without effect or use between living and dining.

A freelance architect can do this better, i.e. you will easily recover their fee through better planning (e.g. expenses for performance phases 1-4), and you will have more quality of life permanently. Of course, there are pitfalls here as well, but take a look at your planning with the eyes of a third party...

The now missing study also speaks volumes.

And that the staircase absolutely has to be in this location is nonsense.

-> Your planning is not only very bad, it is also very expensive. You can still change everything, now thinking about moving windows is...

WD

Wow, harsh words! I really think, what else will he do? There really aren't that many possibilities for us. Because of the mixed floors, the staircase is the centerpiece, and MSN really can't do much about that. And I somehow don't feel like paying thousands of euros just for him to draw something I already have. I have never worked with an architect before, can I make an agreement that he only gets real cash if he has a really good idea? And how do I find a good architect? Of course, I wouldn't present him with my design here, so that he isn't influenced.

MSN above should be called. And what costs can I expect for a preliminary draft?

Wow, strong words! I really wonder, what will he do differently? There really aren’t that many possibilities for us.

What he will do differently doesn’t matter to you at first. You provide a room program and say how you want to live, you consider neighboring buildings (planned), legal issues, etc. And then the architect makes draft proposals until he has understood you, and you are convinced by the design, or you part ways.
At the end of June, there should also be an Architecture Day in your area, which you should use to inform yourself about the cooperation between clients and architects.

The staircase is the centerpiece because of the split-level, and you really can’t move much there.

I see that differently.

And somehow I don’t feel like paying thousands of euros just so he draws something I already have.

Bold statement, then design theory completely passed him by.

I have never worked with an architect before, can I make an agreement that he only gets real cash if he has a really good idea?

Why should an architect agree to that? That only leads to disputes about to what extent the realization is based on the architect’s design.

And how do I find a good architect? Of course, I wouldn’t show him my design here so that he isn’t influenced.

Look who is registered with the architects’ chamber in your area, weed out those whose style doesn’t fit your wishes, arrange consultations, and consider with whom cooperation would be fruitful. Always ask how far acquisition goes and from when you enter the fee-paying area. Thoroughly check (or have checked) a suitable contract, e.g., phased contract or only service phases 1–4, etc.
Good attitude to leave your own draft at home.

As I said, please make use of Architecture Day.

HB

Oh yes. What I also notice about your kitchen:

A built-up dishwasher only makes sense if you have counter space nearby (and ideally the sink to pour something out, etc.).
And also with the fridge... You have to walk back and forth way too often. That will become very uncomfortable over time and hinder the workflow.
Where is your main work surface? It should be between the stove and the sink and be at least 80, preferably 120cm.