German self-build inspiration - Poing near Munich

[RedRhino]

I thought to mention for anyone seeking self-build inspiration this is a great place to visit

https://bauzentrum-poing.de/de/

Your browser should be able to translate. 

I've visited a few times (because I have family living nearby). There are 56 completed houses from different manufacturers. 

Even if your tastes are very different, there are lots of bits of detail design to give food for thought. Sometimes, it's as useful to agree what you don't like as much as what you do. 

You can see the houses online but of course so much better to visit in person. Munich airport is close by. 

[Bramco]

+1 for that - there are quite a few of these dotted round Germany. We visited a couple on trips to Germany while we were still in the planning stage.

 

We also visited a couple of turnkey companies that were doing business in the UK at the time (pre-Brexit). Schworer Haus in southern Germany was amazing. A tiny, very well off village with a massive factory - wood comes from within a few kilometres distance - they xray the raw planks and sell on any not quite to the right quality. There is a massive showroom for all the various finishes, internal and external as well as bathrooms kitchens etc. They also run the whole factory on biomass and export as much energy as they use. 

 

Wonder how many of the German turn-key cos are still in the UK market after Brexit?

[RedRhino]

Which companies sell into the UK? 

Dan Wood?

Huf haus?

Baufritz?

Definitely a minority. 

 

Also to say, IMHO the German market is ahead of the UK in terms of energy efficiency (no nuclear, no native fossil fuels) and also space utilization. 

A common model is two dwellings under one roof. No one can afford a whole house. 

[kandgmitchell]

4 minutes ago, RedRhino said:

A common model is two dwellings under one roof.

Maisonettes? Semi's? Flats?

[RedRhino]

2 minutes ago, kandgmitchell said:

Maisonettes? Semi's? Flats?

Flats are much more common. But in the context of self build, it seems Bavarian planners want to maintain the look of traditional detached houses. On examination you realize they have two front doors. 

[kandgmitchell]

So more of a semi then? Really interesting website. We went Danwood so we have a German style house and can see our style in some of the versions on show (although by other manufacturers, neither Danwoods are typical of their UK range). You are right about "what you don't like" and I must say there is quite a bit of that in there! Down to what we see as "normal" for houses over here probably.

[ProDave]

Are these houses being lived in, or is it as the website suggests a "home exhibition"?

[Russell griffiths]

After living in Australia this is a common thing over there. 
a large plot of land is divided into a few dozen house plots, the local companies come in and buy and build their design house on that plot, punters then visit at the weekend and walk around all the show houses. 
you pick a builder you like and commission them to build on a plot you have or they will have other plots on other sites. 
 

I really hate the English way of a divided up estate all built by the same contractor in the same boring design to the same poor standard. 

[Oz07]

40 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

After living in Australia this is a common thing over there. 
a large plot of land is divided into a few dozen house plots, the local companies come in and buy and build their design house on that plot, punters then visit at the weekend and walk around all the show houses. 
you pick a builder you like and commission them to build on a plot you have or they will have other plots on other sites. 
 

I really hate the English way of a divided up estate all built by the same contractor in the same boring design to the same poor standard. 

I think their planning is a lot more zoned than over here. I assume providing you build within certain parameters planning is automatically given. No silly planners going on about vernacular on a modern estate. 

 

You look at the quality of design of houses here before planning was brought in (1940s?) vs after. Which houses look better?

Edited 4 hours ago by Oz07

[RedRhino]

1 hour ago, ProDave said:

Are these houses being lived in, or is it as the website suggests a "home exhibition"?

The houses are not owner occupied. Rather, they are built as show homes and typically have a room serving as an office for their sales rep. 
You can imagine the manufacturers host sales prospects as well as having the house open all site hours for anyone who walks up. 

Edited 3 hours ago by RedRhino
typo

[Mike]

2 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

After living in Australia this is a common thing over there... I really hate the English way of a divided up estate all built by the same contractor in the same boring design to the same poor standard.

 

Time to radically reform the system.

 

 

 

As reported in https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/commons-committees/public-accounts/2018-07-09 - MHCLG Report to the PAThe Role of International Evidenc.pdf

 

[LDNRennovation]

I love those RedRhino! There are some in Amsterdam that are great too, but I just like how the ones you posted are similar but so unique. I hate the cookie cutter houses.
 

You also could head to Graven Hill in Bicester for a british version of this for inspiration. I’ve designed a few for there and I think it all turned out quite interesting. Bit of a mess but lots of ideas.

 

Edited 1 hour ago by LDNRennovation

[Russell griffiths]

3 hours ago, Oz07 said:

I think their planning is a lot more zoned than over here. I assume providing you build within certain parameters planning is automatically given. No silly planners going on about vernacular on a modern estate. 

 

You look at the quality of design of houses here before planning was brought in (1940s?) vs after. Which houses look better?

Exactly this 

I had my planning granted the SAME day I took the plans into the council.