Finally, we're starting the planning of our architect-designed house! But before the architects can sketch the first designs, a solid foundation is needed: the architect briefing. This document captures all the crucial information and wishes regarding the construction project, just as we envision it.
Here you see our briefing, just as we took it to the first meeting with the architects:
Briefing
A spacious, detached single-family house in a modern style with a flat roof is to be built at Leutsäcker 8 in Oberaurach. The homeowners are Ivo & Antonia.
The Plot
The plot parcel 630/5 in the cadastral district of Kirchaich is located in the new development area "Hinter der Quelle" in Kirchaich, in the municipality of Oberaurach, and measures 811m² on a sloping terrain. A development plan is available and included. The plot is fully developed (water, sewage). Currently, there is no soil investigation report available.
The Build
The house is intended to have 2 full floors (no basement) and an integrated garage with 2 parking spaces. Due to the sloping terrain, the ground floor is planned to be partially built into the slope. Access from the street will thus be through the upper floor, which should also be connected to the garage.
Form
Modern building in cubic form, partially integrated into the slope. The only roof form considered is a flat roof, which is intended to be greened.
Rooms
The house is intended to have the following rooms (size specifications are more of an approximate value):
| Room | Area | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | 18-20m² | |
| Dressing Room | 8m² | |
| Master Bath | 12m² | Shower, Sink, Toilet |
| Living Room | 26-32m² | Open Kitchen/Living Area |
| Kitchen | 16-20m² | Open Kitchen/Living Area |
| Office | 20-24m² | Two Workspaces |
| Fitness Room | 16-18m² | |
| Utility Room | 12m² | Technical Equipment |
| Bathroom 2 | 12-14m² | Bathtub, Shower, Sink, Toilet |
| Room 1 | 14m² | |
| Room 2 | 14m² | |
| Pantry | 2-3m² | |
| Guest Toilet | 2-3m² | |
| Hallways | ? |
This results in a total living space of ~170m² to 195m² (1,900 - 2,100 ft²), plus utility areas such as hallways and the garage.
Special Features
The master bedroom should be oriented directly towards the nearby biotope, just like the office. A large window front should be installed here. The bedroom, dressing room, and bathroom 1 are intended to be "exclusive" and, in a way, appear separated from the rest of the upper floor.
The kitchen and living room are intended to form an open living and dining area. Large windows from the slope should also be used here, creating a seamless transition to the garden and terrace.
A fitness room is planned for the ground floor and can be located in the part of the building that is embedded in the slope (windows not necessarily required).
Facilities & Equipment
- The building should be heated using an air-to-water heat pump, and heat distribution should be through underfloor heating.
- A photovoltaic system (elevated) with a capacity of >10 kWp should be installed on the flat roof. A battery storage system is being considered.
- In the garage, a wallbox for charging electric cars should be installed.
- There will be no fireplace.
- A laundry chute from the upper floor bathroom/dressing room to the utility room is desired.
- KfW55 standard should be met at a minimum, if possible, better.
- Ventilation system with heat recovery.
- Water softening system (very hard water).
- Each room (except for kitchen, bathrooms, and pantry) should be connected using CAT7 network cables that terminate in the utility room.
- Smart home (mostly wireless) and security system will be retrofitted as a DIY project. For this purpose, deep flush-mounted boxes should be installed to accommodate possible actuators. Access points, as well as camera technology, will be powered via PoE and connected to the home network (LAN cables should be provided in ceilings and on exterior walls for this purpose).
Facade Design
Attached are some inspirations and ideas. A part of the building could be clad with wood (especially in dark tones). Perhaps the facade of the upper floor should be designed differently than the main body to create a contrast. Otherwise: white/bright plastered facades, possibly (if economically feasible) light natural stone such as travertine. Metal cladding and exposed concrete are not preferred.
Outdoor Facilities
A natural garden is planned to be created at the lower end of the property, featuring a spacious terrace accessible from the living room/kitchen. In front of the house, facing the street, a small front garden will be designed and planted with grasses, etc. Additionally, there might be an access point (external staircase) on the side of the house leading to the garden.
Budget
The budget for planning and construction is approximately €700,000, excluding garden design or built-in furnishings such as a kitchen or additional carpentry work.
Financing
The plot is not mortgaged, and the preliminary planning (architectural services up to the submission of the building application) is financed from private funds. The construction will be financed partly from equity and partly through loans. A KfW loan will probably not be utilized.
Personal Contributions
We consider painting throughout the entire house. We also take care of the installation of the network cables and related infrastructure (Homelab), as well as Smarthome actuators.
Timeline
The planning can start immediately, with a construction start planned for the fall of 2024. A fixed move-in date does not have to be adhered to, but a timely implementation would be appreciated.
Inspirations
The attached images represent various aspects of houses that particularly appeal to us and serve as a source of inspiration. These visual elements are intended not only as aesthetic cues but also as a starting point for joint considerations and discussions about the design elements of our dream home.
