Plot selection & house orientation

But I think these are more like evenings spent together.

The evenings can be arranged on the first day. We once looked for a building partner for a semi-detached house through classified ads in the weekly paper (back then there was no internet). After three evenings, it was clear that they would build the semi-detached house, but we would not. We then found our single-family house in the neighborhood of the vacant plot. But the basic rule applies: living in an area with infrastructure or a residential area always means having to interact with neighbors and still get along—more or less. Even more so when you live wall to wall with them or the driveways or even gardens lie next to each other. But you also have that with single-family houses. Anyone who can’t stand neighbors should look for a large plot on the outskirts.

Well, by getting to know each other I do mean something more than a banal meeting at the mayor's office. That is already almost performance phase 1 and 2, to put it exaggeratedly.

But quite generously exaggerated.

It might work right away, who knows. But I think these are rather evenings where people sit together. I maintain that this is a joint planning project, where the planner assumes a referee function, whether architect or general contractor, it doesn't matter.

There will be several meetings – and without a third party who also wants statements from one side, present. So, skillfully, also once before the appointment with the mayor. With additional functions, I would see the poor planner overburdened; he will regularly have to moderate the mourning process in which the gap between reality and practice must be closed. The practice is that two families are needed, each wanting an end-terrace house; and the reality (mostly) is that they dreamed of a detached single-family house. Unfortunately, the semi-detached building plots less often have applicants who have specifically sought in this category – and more often (for both halves) those who have come up empty in the other category.

For number 17, one could place the driveway in the southeast (near the lotus flower) and thus create a large west/south garden. That's how we planned it when we were told we would get a semi-detached house.... But yes, you have to clear snow on the street 1m in front of the property. I would definitely get insurance for that ;) We don't have south-facing windows in our apartment and currently have the lights on all day... that would be a no-go for me in a house...

have the light on all day at the moment... would be a no go for me in the house...

That's right! Our ERH had 10 sqm of windows in the west, the partition wall in the south, and so the light was always on in winter.

That's how it is! Our ERH had 10sqm of windows in the west, the partition wall in the south, and so the light was always on in winter.

It doesn't have to be like that! My aunt also had her living rooms facing northeast with a built-up south front. She extended the all-purpose room with a winter garden to the east. Now it is the nicest and brightest room of all. You just have to do it.

You just have to do it.

It's usually not that simple. It must be permitted and there must be space on the property. Money also plays a significant role.

She extended the open living area with a winter garden to the east.

The opening to the main room usually remains – then it only gets really bright in the winter garden, the main building stays as it is. I would always look to see if you can get light through roof windows, open stairs, glass entrance door, transparent walls, or other possibilities – but of course it depends on the house and the design what you make of it.