An Empty Slate; A Blank Canvas. What Would You Do?!

2 years ago

Hi all,

My partner and I purchased a plot last year and have been experimenting with different house designs, visiting building companies and sitting down with architects. Every time we start committing to a plan we tend to get stuck and suffering with decision fatigue. Will there be enough light coming into this room? Is it logical to have stairs here? etc etc. We aren't sure how to move on but I believe we need to figure out a form and fully commit to it.

I am here to pick your brains. I want to know what you would do with all the possibilities an empty plot of land brings. All rough ideas and drawing are welcome. I mainly want to here the reasoning for your ideas. I don't want to limit you with our particular wishes and desires, nevertheless there are a couple of parameters.

The house should be no bigger than 150m2

The site is also sloped, about 13m difference between the highest and lowest points. I would say it is .a gentle slope. This is where we run into a lot of problems with design. Do we build with the slope, using a multilevel house? Do we heavily excavate? What shape should the house be to be logical and make use of the rest of the land? I'm really interested to see your creative ideas in this regard.

I'll upload as many pictures as possible. Please have some fun. We really appreciate any ideas as we are feeling a bit stuck! Thank you.

winter sun

summer sun

Featured Answer

BT

2 years ago

0) Decide on the budget. No point on sky high desires when your budget is a shoes strings. Locate your utilities. The Utilities and their placement (e.g. septic) will be one of the constraints.

1) Approximately decide on placement of a driveway [the constraint here], based on the access to nearby roads. Your neighbor on the right (pic2) did semi ugly solution placing a garage, right next to the road. In the USA the driveway is the first permit you get.

2) Place your house about the same as your neighbors but try to orient spaces toward the south part. However south orientation should take a step back to the "Best Views". No point of orienting all your rooms to the neighbors backyard. The "Best Views" should be deciding the orientation. Also consider future development.

3) So 150m2 = 1600 sq ft - pretty modest. I would definitely do a walkout basement. Preserve all excavated dirt. 150m2 - I would rough 30mx50m structure.

4) Floor plans are typically based on the "needs and wants", we have no idea what is needed or important to You and your partner. Some ppl like big kitchens, others big garages, or big bedrooms or big entertainment spaces;

5) With all of that in mind - talk to the architects and the builders.

Your conversations should be: what can I get done for this budget, how would you orient my house, where would you place the driveway, how our wants and needs be satisfied in 150m2.

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Comments (7)

Nick
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
If you haven't already done so, it would be worth posting this on the German Houzz site for local input. On here, it would be worth adding imperial measurements to your post. 150 sqm = 1,600 sq ft, 13m = 43ft.

While I am not really qualified to give you answers (I also tend to find it hard to commit to a decision when faced with a blank sheet), I do think there is a lot more information that people need before giving useful advice. For example:
- Is the house for just you and your partner? Do you have children, plan to have children, other dependents?
- Is this your home or a vacation property?
- How do you live? Work from home, retired, hobbies or activities that need to be planned around.
- Is the 150m2 a limit on the floor space or the footprint of the building.
- What is the gradient? Your 'gentle slope' might be someone else's steep incline. 13m seems a lot to me, but it depends how far apart are the highest and lowest parts.
I think on an internet forum it is easier to get feedback on a plan, than to get ideas from scratch. The latter really needs much more of a two-way discussion than is practical here. However, there are some creative minds who might be able to look at the photos above and come up with the perfect plan.
adam sturgeon thanked Nick
jmm1837
2 years ago
We built a house on a slope about 15 years ago - 165 sqm, two stories, with the main living areas on the second floor. Ground floor had garage, two bedrooms (one used as a study) and a full bathroom; upper floor has master bathroom with en suite, powder room, open living/dining area, kitchen and a big deck looking out over the view. No excavation - our architect felt the house should sit lightly on the land, and we agreed.
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Twins- Thanks for the clarification. You definitely need a larger addition, IMHO. Any chance of adding a bigger garage, to match the new addition? I don't know if you need the space, but it would seem to fit nicely into the overall plan...and probably increase the value of your home. I think your living space should be roughly equal to your bedroom/bathroom space. Think of a 2 story home...main floor living space, upstairs is bedroom/bathroom space. So...with that in mind, I would want to keep the layout of your first plan...and add the dining bump out, mentioned earlier. I'd add a rectangular dining room addition, where you have the wall of windows, in the family room. Then, you'd still have all those windows, but they'd be 10' to 12' further back, with a slider/french door on the 'left' side going out to a deck/patio, behind the kitchen. Great place for a BBQ. The fireplace/TV could be on the 'right' wall with the seating area 'as is' and maybe some windows on the TV wall, as you show in your pictures. This would give you plenty of room for the table and the seating area...without giving up kitchen and island space. You'll end up with a great entertaining space that can be flexible, when you have larger get-togethers :) As for the master bedroom (a bit off topic, I know) but I'd think about putting the master bath against the kitchen wall (closer to your other plumbing) and create a nice noise/privacy barrier. The closet could be on the front wall (as is) and the bedroom could have windows on the side and back. Maybe a slider/french door out to the patio...even a hot tub? Just a few ideas :)
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Buehl, you are AMAZING. Thank you. OK, here is more info: Goals: Better function more storage better counterspace 2 adults, 1 cook frequent from scratch meals, avid baker, canning and preserving in summer, frequently host casual dinners/parties, often have people hanging out in the kitchen No significant structural changes, but plumbing/electrical can change Want to keep it open to other rooms Appliances: Range or Cooktop 30” (possibly 36” if cooktop) Single or Double Wall Oven? Existing standard DW Existing 36”w SXS CD fridge Add a vent hood Prefer no or few uppers Currently have a pantry closet, deep shelves, not very functional. I’m thinking pullout cabinets instead. That is the house plan. 2 large bedrooms and 2 baths are down the hall. There is a deck adjacent to the sunroom/living room. Here are some of the before shots of the kitchen. We dismantled the ridiculous island and reconfigured it temporarily. We painted now to mitigate my loathing of the wall paint. "Are you changing the flooring? Would you be willing to have an island that extended into what appears to be a family room a couple of feet?" The kitchen flooring is new, and we will be extended into the living room. And yes, willing to have an island. "Where exactly does that Family Room wall start?" The above images should answer that question.
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I agree with Thalia B above that wood trim is making a comeback but I'm seeing slightly different tones in those inspo pics than the one in OP's pic. (For as much as we can trust screen renderings of colours.) Subtle difference but it can make a difference. I love wood trim as well and when I said I'd lighten or darken this trim, I didn't necessarily mean painting it. Also, @jwencel42, to be clear about the fireplace: it's not that it's meh for me; it's that the view is superlative. :) In this room's design, how can one not privilege the natural view that take one's breath away?! :D This view deserves attention and contemplation and 'bringing the outdoors in' usually makes for harmonious design. A well-designed room is one that makes you feel good living in it so function is key. Focal points can only go so far. :) And usually, once people are in a room, they become the focal point.
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Verbo
2 years ago
Stop dating around for Mr. Perfect. Get engaged to an architect that is Ms. Good and Good Enough. You're not pausing enough with anyone to do the hard WORK required to create good plans. You want a honeymoon without a marriage.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I agree you need a good architect not a builder, not draftsman and architect who works with the lot and your style . BTW if we can't figure out the meaurements here we all need to go to school.We have a house built on a slope we have a fabulous view so the house has a walkout basement and we use that fro access to the pool , madia room , pool table our office and work out space . IMO you start by thinking about what you want on one list and what you need on another . Then go architect hunting with a sensible budget in mind and be prepared fot the fact you probably will not get all the wants. BTW 1600 sq ft is anice sized house and you do not need a mcmansion ever. I have no idea how Germany got into the discussion I must have missed something. I live in Canada we use metric just like Eurpoe not a big deal.
Nick
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
@Patricia Colwell Consulting, Germany got into the discussion because the plot is across the border in Austria (unless I am misreading the map) and Houzz does not have a dedicated Austrian site. It was really just to get some more localized views, not a substitute for any comments from this site.

Yes, I agree that we should all be able to figure out the measurements. Let's face it, we would struggle when living or traveling abroad if we are challenged by the metric system. Having said that, I have lost count of the number of posts from non-US posters, who have been asked to come back with the metric converted to feet and inches. I like to think it is convenience rather than not knowing what a square metre looks like.
ashtonchic
2 years ago
Have you checked with the builders of the houses next to you? The houses are nice looking and appear to be a modest design (not too many angles- which add to cost). Have you gone in them? I would look at lots of new houses and house plans to get an idea of what you like and what things cost. How may bedrooms, baths, two story, 3 story? Will you need special foundation work? Figure out cost of what you want - then add 50%.

An Empty Slate; A Blank Canvas. What Would You Do?!

BT

Comments (7)

Nick

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