Need help with elevation for new construction!

10 years ago

Working on a semi-custom new construction. Here's the architect's elevation, it's based on an existing elevation for a similar floor plan. We were wanting to go midcentury modern, but I like a bit more laid back style and although I like this look, I worry it is a bit severe. Can't go any lower than 3/12 pitch due to rain/freeze issues. Considering going with this look just softening it a bit with the materials? I also love scandinavian style and would be open to that, just don't know where to start!

Any advice is very much appreciated!

Featured Answer

qam999

10 years ago

I have serious concerns about the current design. That elevation has a lot of material changes - stone, clapboard (?), and is that third one cement board (?). Are there just 5 narrow horizontal windows there? That may feel a bit oppressive or offputting....windows to the street are like the eyes in a human face.... The ridgeline behind the facade is not a modern treatment and makes the 2-car garage clash with the main house - looking like a not-so-well designed addition. If you compare that to your two inspiration pictures, which are both beautiful and well designed, there is a stark difference.

Budget isn't necessarily the problem....modern designs can work well with the least expensive materials, like cement board siding - it just has to be handled in a modern way. Per Wikipedia:

"Common themes of modern architecture include:

the notion that "Form follows function", a dictum originally expressed by Frank Lloyd Wright's early mentor Louis Sullivan, meaning that the result of design should derive directly from its purpose
simplicity and clarity of forms and elimination of "unnecessary detail"
materials at 90 degrees to each other
visual expression of structure (as opposed to the hiding of structural elements)
the related concept of "Truth to materials", meaning that the true nature or natural appearance of a material ought to be seen rather than concealed or altered to represent something else
use of industrially-produced materials; adoption of the machine aesthetic
particularly in International Style modernism, a visual emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines"

I would back up and check the qualifications of your architect, and also discuss what modern means to him/her, and what the design goals are for your house. Have you seen the architect's portfolio? If so, were the other designs similar to your goal and successful?

With respect to roof slope, if your climate and chosen roofing materials demand a minimum 3/12 pitch, then the whole design needs to take that into account and work with it, not fight it. Asphalt shingle siding isn't the obvious choice for a modern house, but a truly gifted architect could make it work by focusing on the exact profile, texture, trim, and surrounding materials (again, keeping those tenets of modernism in mind).

The floor plan is unusual and I haven't had time yet to really analyze it. (What is the space directly above the casita and open to the covered porch?)

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Comments (14)

megfarm
Original Author
10 years ago
Also would just love your opinion as to the architect's elevation. At this point in the process I don't even know what looks good anymore!
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apple_pie_order
10 years ago
I agree 100% with qam999. This is not a design that matches your inspiration houses in form or function, style or grace. The floor plan is awkward, partly because of the open courtyard in the middle. Does "semi custom" mean that the architect has actually built one of these that you could go see in real life?

You can tell the architect you are going to take a break for a month or so while you consider things. Tell him to stop work in the meantime.
megfarm thanked apple_pie_order
PRO
RappArchitecture
10 years ago
The rear elevation looks fine, but there's way too much going on in the front. Why are the window styles so different on front and back? I would use the rear window styles on the front as well, and minimize the stone. Asphalt shingles aren't warrantied on a slope less than 4:12, so there's a problem there as well. I don't know why the architect says connecting the rooflines isn't possible; anything is possible with enough budget. And though you didn't ask, having to go through the family room to get to bedrooms 2 and 3 seems odd unless they are children's bedrooms and the family room is more of a playroom.

I'd seriously consider getting another architect.
megfarm thanked RappArchitecture
apple_pie_order
10 years ago
Yes, get another architect.
megfarm thanked apple_pie_order
apple_pie_order
10 years ago
Thanks for background. Do any of the other floor plans have a different architect?
PRO
RappArchitecture
10 years ago
As I said, the rear elevation looks fine to me. Making the windows and the exterior materials on the front consistent with those on the rear would be a major improvement. I would also follow up on the roof slope / roof material issue I mentioned above.
megfarm thanked RappArchitecture
PRO
MJS Designers Group
10 years ago
Go to Mjshomedesigns on Houzz. We can help you.
PRO
BLDG Workshop Inc.
10 years ago
any more movement or discussion on this since november? to be honest, i don't feel nearly as negatively about this than the other posters. if it's not perfect yet, i think it could continue to round out into something really nice...would be interested to know what has happened...
megfarm thanked BLDG Workshop Inc.
PRO
Owen Landscape Architect
10 years ago
Elevation would be improved with properly scaled chimney with a strong cap - the horizontal would "correct the eye" and visually anchor the sloped roof angles. (that is, if a fireplace/hearth can be added to the floor plan.
megfarm thanked Owen Landscape Architect
megfarm
Original Author
10 years ago
BLDG - thanks for the feedback! Yes, I did get some negative responses to this elevation which had me feeling a little nervous. But after lots of thought and discussion we decided to just go forward with it. We're trying to keep it simple by choosing the same color (a light gray) for the two different types of siding and we're using a horizontal white stone. We're choosing a silver finish (similar in shade to the light gray siding) for the exterior window color so that those windows on the front will look like an integrated part of the hardboard panels (there won't be any contrasting trim) - something the architect had initially intended by I hadn't quite understood, and that I think will look really great.

Owen - there is a fireplace but it's toward the back side of the house. I can see what you are saying and how that would help. Thank you!
megfarm
Original Author
10 years ago
BLDG - just checked out your page, I love your projects!
PRO
BLDG Workshop Inc.
10 years ago
hey thanks!
qam999
9 years ago
Megfarm - Any update? Is your house finished? We'd love to see pics!