Single-family house floor plan - modern architecture, 260 m² living area

Hello everyone,

we are currently in the middle of the design phase for our single-family home in Berlin and would like to hear a few independent opinions on the current floor plan.

We are already quite satisfied – nevertheless, we welcome constructive feedback, clever ideas, or hints at possible weaknesses.

About the plot

[*]Size: approx. 700 m²
[*]Location: flat, no special features
[*]Development: from the northeast (street side)
[*]No development plan, orientation based on neighboring buildings
[*]Garage with shed as boundary construction
[*]Main orientation: southwest

About the house

Modern, clear architecture with a spacious, open living area

[*]2 full floors + planned full basement
[*]Approx. 260 m² living space plus basement
[*]Planned for 2 adults and 2 children (7 & 10 years)

Room layout (current)

Basement:

Open living and dining area with fireplace as room divider, large kitchen with separate storage room, guest WC, cloakroom, direct access to the terrace as an extension of the living space.
Garage with shed along the property boundary.

The focus is on plenty of light, clear sightlines, and a flowing connection between inside and outside.

Upper floor:

Parents’ and children’s rooms, bathrooms, gallery overlooking the entrance area.

What we are currently considering and would like feedback on

[*]Instead of the gallery at the entrance, planning an additional office on the upper floor.
[*]Swapping the WC and cloakroom on the ground floor to make the entrance area more functional.
[*]Skylight in the hallway and bathrooms?
[*]Net ceiling height of 3 m, 3.20 m, or 3.40 m
[*]Cat flap
[*]Do you see potential for improvement or clever alternatives in the room layout?
[*]Are there weaknesses that we should optimize at this early stage?
[*]Do you have tips for good lighting, pathways, or furnishing in the living area?

Attached you will find the current floor plans (GF & UF).

We look forward to any feedback – whether a small remark or a big flash of inspiration.

Best regards and thank you!

As a complete amateur:

- move everything a bit to the left so that a large double garage fits.
- I can't quite get this pantry unit right - so you come directly into the garage and have a door to the kitchen, but can also walk around the cupboards and then are in the kitchen without a door?
- what supports the entire front on the left? I only see glass on the ground floor...
- I see the recess under the master bedroom as wasted space. You could make the dining room smaller and the living room bigger...
- office instead of gallery would be more my style...

I've seen more practical but also significantly uglier ideas...

Otherwise, I'm still missing the basement, which obviously exists. An outside entrance would also be practical there - maybe at the recess...?

- position of guest toilet fits - window?

Here are the answers to your comments. Thanks in advance.

[*]Basement Unfortunately, we don’t have the basement yet. However, we will probably have a technical room, laundry room, and a larger room as an additional recreational room. [*]Long walking distances Where do you see these? Most of the time you sit in the living room or dining area where you then need the kitchen? We want to separate living and dining areas but still keep them open. [*]Office We want to place a small office on the 2nd floor instead of the "air space" (shown in gray). [*]Retreat areas Why do you think the rooms will be noisy? The house will be built solidly. Instead of a never-used balcony, this area can surely be greened? [*]TV We wanted to put it on a sideboard in front of the window. If you do want to watch during the day, you can lower the roller shutters. [*]Stairs We would use a skylight here. Originally, the air space was planned there to let in a lot of light from the side. But if the office is going into the upper floor there, you’re right. [*]Single garage We want as much space as possible in the garden. For the double garage we would need another 3.5 meters of space, which would then be missing in the garden. But we have space in front of the property for the cars. So no problem for us. [*]How we currently live 2 adults and 2 children. We like it open and communicative. Most of the time we are in the living room but everyone can also retreat. We work hybrid and like to invite friends over.

Where do your bicycles go?
Where do the trash bins go?
Do you really use the balcony?

These are 3 points that come to my mind.

Hello, thank you as well:

1) Garage: Single garage: We want to have as much space as possible in the garden. For the double garage we would need an additional 3.5 meters of space, which would then be missing in the garden. However, we have space in front of the property for the cars. Therefore, no problem for us.

2) The main entrance is in the hallway. Additionally, you can enter the house through the garage and then come into the "pantry" - for example, when you have been shopping. The reason for the door is that we want to somewhat hide it - so you don’t necessarily see it.

3) Beams: The steel beams/columns are not yet shown in this preliminary version. They will be included in the next version.

4) Recess: Good point - thank you!

5) Guest WC: Here we wanted to swap the wardrobe with the guest WC. We will adjust the window.

Thank you very much!

1) Where do your bicycles go? Where do the trash bins go?
-> They stand in the forecourt in front of the property. You can't see them on the floor plan.

2) Do you really use the balcony?
Probably not - but we need a facade attachment for sun protection. Instead of a balcony, the area could simply be planted.