New construction: approximately 280m² plus basement - your suggestions

But at 900k, the additional 20k for the extra generous space is simply worth it to you.

Added together with the upper floor, that amounts to more than €50,000... so that the €900,000 is sufficient.

We have been going back and forth about the porthole the whole time. What would you suggest?

For me, the front door would be wider, so the two small windows next to the door would be omitted, which creates some visual calmness in the view while still allowing light. The upper windows, since they lead to the gallery anyway, I would make floor-to-ceiling and raised as high as possible, removing the porthole. If you really need the shutters, then try testing without window mullions or arches, and maybe make them a bit larger.

For me, the front door would be wider, so the two small windows next to the door would be omitted, which creates a bit of visual calmness in the view and still allows light.
As for the upper windows, since they are for the gallery anyway, I would take floor-to-ceiling ones and raise them as high as possible, removing the porthole. If the shutters are necessary for you, then try testing without window mullions or arches, and maybe a bit larger dimensioned.

We will build the front door as double doors (is that the correct term?). We discussed exactly the same thing. The architect finds the so-called "hunger windows" stylish. We don't.
What would you use instead of the round window? We do need one at the top for the gallery. On the south side, we should then have the same shape in the gable. Thanks for your feedback. Very helpful

Added together with OG, however, that amounts to more than €50,000... so that the €900,000 is sufficient.

Thank you very much for the extensive discussion, but a reduction is out of the question for us. We are satisfied with the size and even the mathematically calculated €50k is worth it to us. Moreover, as mentioned, this change would be missing on all floors. And honestly, we are not investing such a large amount to then make compromises on all floors. We would annoy ourselves every day for not having invested the approximately €50k. PS: Sorry for the missing umlauts, but I don’t have a German keyboard :(

That is exactly the task of a capable architect, to implement your wishes efficiently, i.e. without compromises and yet cost-optimized. Even if you are in the comfortable position of not having to worry about 50,000 EUR, that is simply money thrown away. There may be reasons that require a certain floor area, but a lot of free and poorly/unusable space is certainly not one of them. Apart from that, I am sure that during the course of construction progress you will still find enough opportunities to waste money senselessly. ;)

That is exactly the task of a capable architect, to implement your wishes efficiently, i.e. without compromises and still cost-optimized. Even if you are in the comfortable position of not having to watch 50,000 EUR, it is simply money thrown away. There may be reasons that require a certain floor area, but a lot of free and poorly/not usable space is certainly not one of them. Apart from that, I am sure that during the course of the construction progress you will find enough opportunities to waste money senselessly. ;)

I respect your view, but for us it is not pointless, rather very value-adding to have this space and thus also the sense of space. As the saying goes, we agree to disagree :) Thanks anyway.