Log cabin with a clipped gable roof by the forest - improve planning?

We want a wooden house with a large window front facing south. However, in the log house, the settling behavior causes major problems, so we switched from the continuous front to divided panes, and from the divided panes to simple rectangular windows because otherwise the solid construction is not possible; the beams above the window would otherwise rest on the window. The timber-framed house is not a log house, but still wooden enough, and we can get as many windows as we want.

The architect is still checking whether it is possible to construct the side walls in log construction and the south and north walls as timber framing. Alternatively, we could also line the infill panels with wood. So it is not so much a log house or timber-framed house, but rather: lots of wood, lots of glass.

What I don't understand: Do you already have an architect or not? If yes, why are you worrying about the floor plan? The architect only needs to know, I want a 20m² kitchen, 30m² dining area, 2 children's rooms, huge windows, basement, [Einliegerwohnung], etc. With the long list and maybe a view of the dream house, you go there and say, go ahead!

Then talk to HUF and to Baumeister. They have timber-framed houses. Baumeister is more the normal price range, HUF is already upscale with an insanely large, luxurious master suite. The shower alone is bigger than some bathrooms.

Maybe solid wood (Crosstimber) would be something for you. It is available inside in exposed wood. I don’t think it is bad even though I don’t have rose-colored glasses regarding ecology and diffusion openness. Inside exposed wood where you want, otherwise paint and tiles, outside then plastering or wood cladding.

Do you already have an architect or not?

Short answer: Yes and no.

Long answer:
Over a year ago, we contacted three architects, visited the plot, and held preliminary discussions. The one who seemed to fit us best was asked to implement our ideas. So we created a priority list and a room list and discussed what we liked (massive wooden beams, visible joints, natural building materials), what was absolutely not acceptable (Bauhaus style, stairs/platforms on the lower floor, etc.). The first six meetings were extremely frustrating – we received designs in Bauhaus style, with platforms, back and forth. Only when we discussed a design we had drawn ourselves did things slowly move in the right direction – but too slowly and with far too little input from the architect (in my opinion).
Therefore, we ended the collaboration and searched for an architect who does not "also" build wooden houses, but exclusively builds them. Planning started anew; again, we discussed the floor plan we had drawn, visited about 10 houses and noted what we liked and disliked – and afterwards designed a house that externally resembled a visited property we liked. The changes made were mainly adjustments on the level: The recess at 2.50 m depth is unusable, the initially planned open space does not fit at all... and then, at some point, with an expiring preliminary decision, the priority became: First building application, then further changes.
Now, when not even the bedroom fits (I don’t know which design referred to; I noticed it at the beginning of the discussion in the "old" one), we looked for a new architect again. Again, one from a company that builds wooden houses, as we now know that not everyone can do that. Based on our experience with the old floor plan, we expressly chose an architect who plans large single-family homes. So he is not exactly our architect.
He has now received an idea from us as a basis, along with our Pinterest image collection and the things we want. Let’s see what he says. My expectation now is mainly that he points out mistakes, problems, or better solutions to us. Getting an especially creative design that blows me away... I have given up on that. What I like about the current concept is that it has one floor less, that it seems variable enough to accommodate different phases of life, and that it goes back in the direction we wanted. Because we created a first design ourselves, I know that my 220x240 cm waterbed fits in my 4x4 m bedroom.

Then talk to HUF and Baumeister. They have timber-framed houses. Baumeister is more the normal price range, HUF is more upscale with an incredibly large, luxurious master suite. The shower alone is bigger than some bathrooms.

We will definitely do that! I am already very curious about the houses; I’m sure there is something to learn from them. The HUF website gives me a similar impression to DaVinci, who also use a lot of glass inside and have a very modern touch. What I miss is the rustic element – in a house we visited, they painted the huge wooden beams with a gray, glossy color... But that doesn’t rule out good ideas. In particular, I want to see and walk different staircases, armed with a tape measure. Now we can easily build a straight staircase upwards, without landings or turns, if we find something great there.

Just ask if the beams can be more natural. Wardrobe or fireplace framed with slate, wooden floorboards and it’s already more rustic.

Kitchen in country house style, I don’t mean built-in cabinets in rustic oak, Rangecooker, instead of built-in oven and steam cooker built up high.