phb
2013-05-25 19:01:34
- #1
We want to build a two-story, energy-efficient house (no dormers, no roof windows, compact, thick stone walls, ventilation system, solar panels if profitable on the property).
Initially, we want to live on both floors (ground floor and upper floor). In old age, we want to keep the option open to move completely to the ground floor. We would then no longer need the study/children’s rooms and move the bedroom downstairs. Possibly, we would like to set up a second bedroom on the ground floor. The upper floor can then be used as an extra apartment (e.g., for a caregiver or rented out).
First, here is the orientation of the house:
The cardinal direction and the building envelope are marked. There is forest/meadow to the north and east. Neighboring houses border the other two property lines. The driveway to the property is approximately in the southern extension of the marked southern garage corner.
Even though we will of course plan and build with an architect, many decisions regarding the design remain, for which we would very much like to hear other opinions and experiences. We have compiled our initial plans here. These are first ideas so far. Much is still open, for example, the windows have not yet been fully planned but only roughly estimated and will certainly still change.
Ground floor:
For the layout of the rooms on the (hopefully) wheelchair-accessible ground floor, we now have two alternatives (kitchen in the southwest or kitchen in the southeast).
Version 1 Kitchen in the Southwest
The plan above shows the use of the ground floor if both floors are occupied by us. The kitchen is located in the southwest (view towards the property driveway) and is therefore heavily illuminated by the sun.
The second plan (still version 1) now shows the change after moving to only the ground floor. For this, the bedroom must be moved from upstairs to downstairs. If needed (more severe disability), a second bedroom can then be set up.
Version 2 Kitchen in the Southeast
In this version, the kitchen is relocated to the southeast (following the motto "living with the sun"). The music room could then, if needed, become an additional bedroom (unfortunately then facing south and the property driveway).
Upper floor:
Here we have drawn only one version.
The room with a kitchen drawn in will initially not be used as a kitchen when we occupy both floors, but rather as a sports room (for our hobby sports equipment). Should the upper floor then be used as an independent apartment, a kitchen can be installed here. The two studies are separated by lightweight walls. These can be dismantled and combined to create one large open dining and living room.
In the staircase area (upper floor), we still want to create access to an attic that should be used as storage or hobby space. We still need to consider the stairway for this in the next step.
We would now very much appreciate your opinions and experiences.
Initially, we want to live on both floors (ground floor and upper floor). In old age, we want to keep the option open to move completely to the ground floor. We would then no longer need the study/children’s rooms and move the bedroom downstairs. Possibly, we would like to set up a second bedroom on the ground floor. The upper floor can then be used as an extra apartment (e.g., for a caregiver or rented out).
First, here is the orientation of the house:
The cardinal direction and the building envelope are marked. There is forest/meadow to the north and east. Neighboring houses border the other two property lines. The driveway to the property is approximately in the southern extension of the marked southern garage corner.
Even though we will of course plan and build with an architect, many decisions regarding the design remain, for which we would very much like to hear other opinions and experiences. We have compiled our initial plans here. These are first ideas so far. Much is still open, for example, the windows have not yet been fully planned but only roughly estimated and will certainly still change.
Ground floor:
For the layout of the rooms on the (hopefully) wheelchair-accessible ground floor, we now have two alternatives (kitchen in the southwest or kitchen in the southeast).
Version 1 Kitchen in the Southwest
The plan above shows the use of the ground floor if both floors are occupied by us. The kitchen is located in the southwest (view towards the property driveway) and is therefore heavily illuminated by the sun.
The second plan (still version 1) now shows the change after moving to only the ground floor. For this, the bedroom must be moved from upstairs to downstairs. If needed (more severe disability), a second bedroom can then be set up.
Version 2 Kitchen in the Southeast
In this version, the kitchen is relocated to the southeast (following the motto "living with the sun"). The music room could then, if needed, become an additional bedroom (unfortunately then facing south and the property driveway).
Upper floor:
Here we have drawn only one version.
The room with a kitchen drawn in will initially not be used as a kitchen when we occupy both floors, but rather as a sports room (for our hobby sports equipment). Should the upper floor then be used as an independent apartment, a kitchen can be installed here. The two studies are separated by lightweight walls. These can be dismantled and combined to create one large open dining and living room.
In the staircase area (upper floor), we still want to create access to an attic that should be used as storage or hobby space. We still need to consider the stairway for this in the next step.
We would now very much appreciate your opinions and experiences.