Single-family house with staggered floor, southwest location in Bonn

In general, the idea to at least make more concrete considerations about the size and placement of the furniture on the ground floor is good. Also in the kitchen. On the other hand, we still have quite a few degrees of freedom to adapt to the room, and a lot is possible with the size.

Ok, but do it the other way around. Look at the space you would need, what feels comfortable for you. Size alone doesn’t make it. Furniture dimensions and the idea of where/how you want to sit is top priority; I’m actually surprised that the architect has basically drawn in some placeholders there. Do you want to watch TV exactly there, is the distance to the TV right, or maybe better a small “media room” because you like to watch “Geierwally” while your wife plays the grand piano. What sofa size, how do we want to sit, etc. When you have that, you can measure and test it at home. All of this is very important.

On the other hand, we still have quite a few degrees of freedom to adapt to the room, and a lot is possible with the size.

The other way around... you should adapt the room to yourselves and your needs.

What do you mean by conveying an entrance to the central dining table? I imagine the dining table rather placed diagonally, precisely so that it fits with the grand piano. We are planning more with an L-shaped sofa and an additional armchair/chair.

I like it when you consciously have the dining table standing in the middle when entering the house and free sight behind it... maybe my quirk o_O

I imagine the dining table rather placed diagonally.

...it isn’t drawn like that and it won’t take up more space. You are building in a square/rectangular shape... I don’t like placing it diagonally at all.

Precisely so that it fits with the grand piano.

...so it will be pushed around until the “furniture and music stuff” somehow fits?? ...in 60 sqm! Who actually plays the grand piano? Does that really happen, i.e. is someone a musician or is it more or less just decoration? Maybe the piano and TV should be spatially separated, more than kitchen + living? What are your habits?
In a great, modern house, both the dining area and the (if used) piano must have the desired place and not be turned around so long just to avoid hitting your knees :D.
I am missing your recognizable priorities here. If someone loves playing this instrument, then that person must say what/how it needs, just as a craftsman defines the workbench. Such a space, protection, and an identifiable justification for something like this is needed. If it is “merely” an heirloom/decoration, then it shouldn’t force me to place my beautiful dining area diagonally. THAT would be the consideration on this topic. Is regular, beautiful dining as an event at the large dining table important to me, or music, TV, or... nothing should be forced here.

We are planning more with an L-shaped sofa and an additional armchair/chair.

Sizes? How arranged, how do you mostly want to sit? Facing the TV straight on or mostly communication, etc.

In my opinion, many only evaluate the floor plan and, of course, due to lack of background information question everything without knowing the further surroundings.

True, so you have to disclose it or you get multifaceted answers. Personal priorities MUST be reflected in the space; if you do not name them, it will probably be difficult here.

That’s okay too, only none of my explanations seem to be accepted or even somehow taken in.

No one has to accept it. EVERYONE wants to help you, and you alone decide whether it’s help for you. Nobody needs pats on the back. Criticism often initially annoys, but if you understand the meaning and don’t feel attacked, it can also help.

If I could, I would also rather build only 210-220 sqm and save downstairs, but the 100 sqm upstairs that result from our requirements (2 children's rooms, children's bathroom, parents’ areas (bathroom, dressing room, bedroom)) unfortunately require 150 sqm on the ground floor, because of the stepped floor and 66% according to the old building regulations. Hence also, for example, the somewhat oversized 'all-purpose room' and the satellite kitchen.

I don’t think you are basically forced to build too large. The architect should be able to solve that; maybe some priorities shift, maybe even the expensive basement drops... you are three!

If working really was only working and not more like guest, I would find the suggestion to connect it via the living room somewhat appealing. Even if I make the bathroom bigger, it would have to be a walk-through bathroom to the guest room.

And why can’t the guest, who is rarely there anyway, have the room in the basement and not take away space from the living floor? Guest/work downstairs or upstairs; nobody wants a bathroom as a walk-through room.

And the desire for a separate kitchen simply exists.

Then do it that way and give the kitchen a few more sqm and make a great, spacious cooking/dining room with an opening to the terrace. There are thousands of options here that your architect or an interior designer actually has to implement. Doing it yourself feels difficult because you pull here and something else tumbles down there...
I somehow miss the personal side, what is important to YOU. Is it the great dining area, the cook’s kitchen as a meeting/communication room, the TV corner with the super screen, the musical instrument, the cooking itself... the very personal thing. You should maybe name that.

As said, no problem with criticism, suggestions, etc. like your posts or those from Würfel and also Ypgs, but some things are, from my perspective, not very constructive. I am dealing with that.

Anyhow. I take furniture placement into account and atm I find Würfel's latest suggestion pretty good.. But then there is no longer any visual connection to the ground floor.

The architect can only work limited magic if we have the demand on the upper floor that we do and the upper floor is only 66%. What is he supposed to do there?
Demand (see also first post) upper floor was

1. 2 children's rooms
2. children's bathroom
3. bedroom
4. en suite bathroom
5. dressing room

We wanted on the ground floor:
1. living/dining room
2. kitchen separated
3. another guest/office room, guest/office room is also an emergency solution someday if we ever were disabled.
4. guest bathroom with shower.
5. airlock / utility room from garage.

Well, for example, we also have a grand piano, an item that we have to find a place for somewhere.

Where did that suddenly come from? o_O

In my opinion, I find that many only evaluate the floor plan and, of course, due to lack of background information, question everything without knowing the further surroundings. That’s okay, but it feels like none of my explanations are accepted or even taken into account in any way.
The garage, for example, wouldn’t make sense anywhere else on the property because

Well, when there was still room, besides the piano the dimensions were missing.
The questionnaire would have given you the opportunity to explain what else is important. The pinned posts advise drawing the neighborhood, etc. Feed the fish, and it will bite.

The client has a ruler for measurements.... The planning is still far before my furniture fits. And whether with or without measurements, the kids’ rooms are small in relation to the living area, the hallway, etc., and poorly laid out.

Of course, if there were measurements for us, there would be a whole series of other remarks.

Besides, I actually have to see that this is the first thread where doesn’t advise to draw in furniture.
Apparently, we weren’t constructive enough :oops:

In general, the consideration to make more concrete thoughts about the dimensions and placement of furniture at least on the ground floor is good. Also in the kitchen.

hm... As far as our intention was right from the start.

I imagine the dining table rather placed diagonally, so it fits with the grand piano.

Someone once told me: if you place furniture diagonally, you either have too much space and have to fill gaps or too little, then diagonal often still fits.

If I could, I would also prefer to build only 210-220 sqm and save downstairs,

Is the basement supposed to be dropped now?

Through the lens, the dressing room would become smaller and only a passage to the master bathroom, and the bedroom would only be reachable through the bathroom.

The dressing room is currently only a passage room. Which wouldn’t be bad either. But this dressing room is somehow not one. You can’t even iron in it.

As I said, no problem with criticism, suggestions, etc., like your posts or those from Würfel and also Ypgs, but some things are, from my perspective, not very constructive. I waffle about it.

I am constructive on page 1. Without measurements, we should manage.
Honestly, I see no need to stick to the construct. The architect may, after all, create something different for his money, right? Here, a design is being fussed over without even trying a different layout. No one is saying that the architectural style is sh*** or your idea to have 2 kids’ rooms on the upper floor is stupid.
It already started with such an emergency staircase that was supposed to connect the floors of your huge house. I don’t understand this wormlike extension of the hallway on the ground floor. And I would never present such a hallway upstairs to my clients. Rather, I would then disguise it with built-in cabinets or a window at the end of the hallway and sell it as intentionally designed for art on the walls... but right now I’m doubting the architect, if this was even drawn by one.
Has he lost interest?

with the other parties?

With whom else?
Even if you say in post #35 that each of you has your own planner (wtf that is supposed to mean, since the section lines in your floor plans are numbered with gaps up to 16) – but this entire property was obviously developed for a housing ensemble; and sticking to that, I also consider sensible.

Well, very constructive. As with all your posts in general.

If you can’t make anything of it, that is unfortunate, but it does not deserve ingratitude.

I think I have taken enough for now and at some point there will be new drafts to diss again :) Especially thanks for the suggestion of [Würfel]. I am currently considering that plus the eye contact. The neighborhood layout is in the opening post. I describe the wing and some furniture for the first time in post 54. Yes, the owner once had an overall development in mind, but now three parties have each bought a plot.

sometime there will be new drafts to diss again

....until then you live in withdrawal or what? Just don’t take it personally, everyone here is happy when they can contribute something. You alone are supposed to live in it but I also say it clearly if I don’t like it. As I said, you don’t need any pat on the back. Basically, you have to assign tasks to the architect, HE has to implement them. I would really have a second draft made in which you only name to him your real priorities. Be sure to include the topic of wings, eating habits, the topic of TV, sofa habits, individual habits of you as a family and maybe even the topic of underground garage or without basement, so a completely new draft. I don’t think tinkering around with this is good either.