A. Executive Summary This project is a 160 m² modern minimalist two-storey family home on a 780 m² flat plot in a Central European continental climate.
The concept prioritizes cost efficiency, simple geometry, excellent energy performance, and long-term durability, while meeting all functional needs: 3 bedrooms, home office, open living area, and garage. The house is designed as a compact rectangular volume, minimizing envelope surface (lower heat loss and construction cost). Structural logic, MEP systems, and material choices are aligned to keep the total cost within €180,000–€240,000, depending on finish level and mechanical system choices. B. Site Analysis 1. Orientation & Sunlight * Optimal orientation: * Long façade facing south / southwest * Living spaces on the sunny side * Bedrooms partially east / south * Design impact: * Large south-facing glazing for passive solar gain * Reduced north-facing openings to limit heat loss 2. Plot Characteristics * Area: 780 m² * Topography: Flat (ideal—no retaining walls required) * Buildable coverage (typical): 25–30% → house footprint ≈ 90–100 m² * Setbacks (typical Central Europe): * Front: 5 m * Side: 3 m * Rear: 6 m 3. Soil & Ground Assumptions * Assumed: Medium-bearing clay or sandy loam * Recommended: * Geotechnical survey (2 boreholes, 6–8 m deep) * Design impact: * Strip footings or slab-on-grade suitable * No pile foundation anticipated 4. Drainage & Water Flow * Flat terrain → artificial drainage required * Strategy: * Perimeter drainage pipe * Rainwater soakaway or underground tank * Roof runoff directed away from foundation 5. Climate Considerations (Central Europe) * Cold winters (–10°C possible) * Hot summers (up to 35°C) * Snow load: moderate–high * Wind load: moderate Design response: * High insulation * Triple-glazed windows * Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) * External shading on south façade 6. Zoning & Planning Limits (Typical) * Max height: 7.5–9 m * Floors: 2 allowed * Roof: flat or low-pitch usually permitted * Garage allowed within main volume C. Full Architectural Concept 1. Building Shape & Massing * Simple rectangular prism * Approx. 9.5 m × 10 m footprint * Two floors (≈80 m² each) * Flat roof or 3–5° hidden pitch roof Why this matters:
Lower construction cost, fewer thermal bridges, easier waterproofing. 2. Layout Logic * Ground floor: public + work + service * Upper floor: private sleeping zone * Vertical core (stairs + services) centralized 3. Circulation Flow * Clear entry → hallway → living zone * Visual axis from entrance to garden * Short circulation paths = more usable space 4. Style Definition * Modern minimalist * Clean lines * Neutral colors * No decorative complexity 5. Façade Concept * Light-colored render + wood or metal accents * Deep window reveals * Horizontal emphasis 6. Roof Structure * Flat roof with: * RC slab * Tapered insulation * EPDM or TPO membrane * Optional green roof or PV-ready setup 7. Sustainability Elements * Compact volume * Passive solar orientation * MVHR system * Heat pump ready * Rainwater reuse for garden 8. Space Optimization * No wasted corridors * Built-in storage * Garage integrated into main volume D. Detailed Floor Plan Description Ground Floor (~80 m² + garage) Rooms & Approx. Sizes 1. Entrance hall: 6 m² * Built-in wardrobe * Thermal buffer zone 2. Home office: 9 m² * North/east window * Acoustic separation from living area 3. WC + utility: 5 m² * Toilet, sink * Washing machine, heat pump indoor unit 4. Open kitchen–dining–living: 38 m² * South-facing glazing (sliding doors) * Direct terrace access 5. Staircase: 6 m² * Reinforced concrete * Central structural spine 6. Garage: 16 m² * One car * Internal access to house Structural Logic * Load-bearing perimeter walls * Central RC stair core as stiffener Upper Floor (~80 m²) Rooms & Approx. Sizes 1. Master bedroom: 14 m² * South-facing window 2. Bedroom 2: 12 m² * East-facing 3. Bedroom 3: 11 m² * Flexible child/guest room 4. Bathroom: 7 m² * Bath + shower * Shared plumbing wall 5. Hallway: 8 m² * Natural light via stair window 6. Storage / linen: 4 m² Wall & Slab Assumptions * External walls: 30–38 cm total * Internal partitions: 10–12 cm * Floor slab: 20–22 cm RC E. Structural Concept Structural System Reinforced concrete frame + masonry infill Why: * Cost-effective * Durable * Fire-resistant * Good acoustic performance Foundation * Strip footings or slab-on-grade * Frost depth: 90–120 cm Load Distribution * Vertical loads via perimeter walls + stair core * Horizontal loads resisted by slabs + core Insulation & Soundproofing * EPS/XPS external insulation * Mineral wool internal where needed Roof * RC slab * Vapor barrier * 25–30 cm insulation * Waterproof membrane F. MEP Engineering Plan Electrical * 3-phase supply * Central distribution board * Cat6 data cabling * Exterior lighting points Lighting * LED downlights * Task lighting in kitchen * Exterior motion sensors Plumbing * Vertical wet core * Short pipe runs * PEX or multilayer piping HVAC Recommended: * Air-to-water heat pump * Underfloor heating (both floors) * MVHR system Energy Efficiency * Target EPC: A or A+ * Solar-ready roof * Battery optional later G. Materials & Finishes Specification Structure * RC C25/30 * Ceramic block or AAC infill Façade * EPS 20–25 cm * Silicone render * Optional wood cladding accent Roofing * EPDM membrane * Gravel ballast or green roof Windows * PVC or aluminum * Triple-glazed (Uw ≤ 0.9) Interior * Floors: SPC / laminate / tile * Walls: painted gypsum plaster * Stairs: concrete with wood finish H. Construction Cost Estimate (€) Category Estimated Cost Site works & foundation €25,000 Structure & slabs €45,000 Roof & façade €30,000 Windows & doors €22,000 MEP systems €35,000 Interior finishes €40,000 Exterior & landscaping €15,000 Total €212,000 Savings Without Quality Loss * Simple roof * Standard window sizes * Integrated garage * Minimal façade detailing I. Full Construction Timeline (10–14 months) 1. Land prep – 2 weeks 2. Foundation – 4 weeks 3. Structural frame – 6 weeks 4. Roofing – 3 weeks 5. Façade – 4 weeks 6. MEP rough-in – 6 weeks 7. Interior finishes – 8 weeks 8. Exterior works – 3 weeks 9. Inspections & handover – 2 weeks J. Permit & Legal Requirements 1. Concept design approval 2. Full architectural drawings 3. Structural calculations 4. Energy performance report 5. Fire safety approval 6. Utility provider approvals 7. Building permit issuance 8. Mandatory inspections 9. Occupancy permit K. Risk & Pitfall Analysis Risk Prevention Soil issues Geotechnical survey Budget overrun Fixed-price contracts Thermal bridges Proper detailing Waterproofing failure Proven roof system Contractor delays Penalty clauses Poor insulation Site inspections Drainage failure Perimeter drains L. Step-by-Step “From Zero to House” 1. Verify zoning & utilities 2. Commission land survey 3. Soil investigation 4. Hire architect + engineer 5. Concept → detailed design 6. Apply for permits 7. Tender contractors 8. Construction phases 9. Independent inspections 10. Final handover & warranty If you want, next we can: * Convert this into permit-ready drawing requirements * Optimize the plan for €180k hard cap * Adapt it to local country-specific codes * Produce a room-by-room furniture & electrical layout