Phew, so guys, honestly. I might have misunderstood this here. I know this is a forum by and for builders and not by experts (architects, civil engineers). Still, I assumed that one can – as it should be humanly possible – put oneself in others' shoes and actually take their wishes into account during consultation.
If I – metaphorically speaking – ask for advice on which dress to wear to a party, I also expect not to be suggested pants only, you understand? If I tell an architect that I want a house with an open kitchen-dining-living area, then he won't design me a closed one. Of course, taste and the wishes of the builders play the central role! I have asked very concrete questions about the design of individual areas. For fundamental design aspects (openness!!!) we have already made up our minds, and I won't let anyone convince me that there is anything wrong with that. If that is not your thing, totally fine. But if you cannot abstract from your own opinion in your advice, then you can just leave it and advise house projects that suit your taste better. Because, as I said, I don’t want to wear pants to the party; it should definitely be a dress.
I have the feeling the OP accepts the advice that fits him; the rest is ignored.
Yes, exactly like that, and what's wrong with that? If we already decided on the basics, it’s quite alright if I consider some advice and reject others right away as unsuitable for us. Usually, that’s how it goes with advice.
And of course I try to be polite and thank you for your effort, even if I don’t accept the advice! So... are you really upset because I don’t say yes and amen to everything? In a non-binding exchange of opinions in an internet forum, that really surprises me.
And that an open space on the ground floor is not possible with the house dimensions is simply nonsense. I have seen such things far too often from architects, for example in the already often mentioned House Lokstedt by Groot Architects, which has quite similar dimensions and which I find totally beautiful! It’s also somehow logical; walls take up extra space after all.
I’m really sorry that I didn’t post the site plan aligned to the north! I really thought that mainly people who have been reading along from the start and who are more or less involved in the project would reply. I thought I didn’t have to repeat it once it was clear. But maybe that was wrong. I’ll keep that in mind next time.
The budget is another topic... that will ultimately be our concern and if it is not feasible, we'll have a problem, but we also still have quite a large safety cushion available from the family... so I don’t worry too much about that.