11ant
2017-12-29 18:15:35
- #1
This shows a slope. About 2.50m from front to back.
The plot is 19m wide and 22.5m long. Because of this slope, we are now considering building our house in split-level construction.
If I roughly calculate that, from about 13m house depth there is a half-storey height difference front/back. From my point of view, that is borderline, i.e. normal undivided floors are not yet "wrong," but it is probably a push in the direction of split level. My conclusion therefore: if you like the idea, then do it – otherwise there is hope not to "have to."
I would only do something like this with an architect who already has experience with split-level.
Oh yes, definitely. Otherwise he will end up digging through designs from the 70s/80s looking for (today rather poorly suitable) examples.
One problem of many split-level designs is – and I think that is what tomtom79 means with the comment that this plot is probably too small for it – that conceptually they are usually not compositions of small floors offset by half a storey. Rather, they are floors broken in the middle, whose halves are offset by half a storey, so that between the front and rear part of conceptually the same level you always have stairs "on the way through the hallway."
Because of this special traffic route feature, these broken levels are usually designed so that room and stairwell merge into one another. Put harshly, practically a stairwell with room-sized intermediate landings. However, that then becomes a burden for KfW55 or higher standards. So it needs a professional already at this point.
Also, with split level, other roof types fit best than “usual”: staggered shed roofs are optimal, flat roofs work well, normal gable roofs badly, and hipped roofs over angled floor plans practically not at all.
Dividing the room program becomes a greater challenge due to the size ratios, even if the stairs are not placed "in the middle" (= front and rear halves equally large).
Split level can be a basis for wonderfully individual house designs, but at least it belongs in knowledgeable hands and – some girls just don’t like long hair – you should like it or at least consider it without reluctance. In my opinion, the described plot does not "force" you to do this, it just rather loudly calls "give it a try."