Exterior Design - lakefront - needs help -

13 years ago

My husband and I are building a lake front home on a very narrow lot. Our inspiration picture for the design is attached and will be the view from the lake. The left and right elevation (plan also attached) is where we are having problems. The shed dormers are placed toward the lake side making the rest of the roof look unbalanced/empty. Short of adding more dormers (we are beginning to get a sinking.... death by dormer feeling) can anyone help with a design idea? If we center the dormers I am afraid we will loose the lakefront look from the inspiration picture. This is a one story home and we will have a walkout. Thanks for your help. I am truly amazed by all the talented professionals on Houzz.com!!!

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elcieg

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

If it is one story, is the ceiling open to the rafters? If so, can you simply extend the dormer and space the windows farther apart?

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Comments (12)

S. Thomas Kutch
13 years ago
Attaching a floor plan of the second level would help immensely......we have no idea what is behind that portion of the empty roof, so any suggestions would be guesses at this point.......exteriors relate to interior spaces.......help us out..

But with that said......one guess would be just to extend the dormers (not center) opening up the rest of the second floor to the same view.......but, as I said above, without knowing what is on the second floor that's just a shot in the dark.
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Raffael Brugnoni
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Tom and Judy. Here are the first and second 1/2 story. Note: We are not finishing the second story to plan. We will finish space as an open loft and pull in the plumbing for a future bath.
Dar Eckert
13 years ago
The roof does look unbalanced. It appears that the only purpose of the dormers is to add light to the living area. Dormer windows in the bedroom areas would make more sense as they look like they would be a little dark with only tiny windows. I would suggest a long dormer like JudyG suggested with windows in both the bedroom and above living area or two dormers on each side with two windows in the bedroom and two over the living area. I've attached a two dormer photo.
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elcieg
13 years ago
Maybe STK will have some professional advice, but I see some wasted space and an awful lot of swinging doors. Could you describe the back rooms of the house? My home is somewhat like yours, except I have a shed roof addition on either side, so it looks like a barn. But, my main space is similar to yours. I think you could put the kitchen and staircase somewhere else to get a better layout.

How many bedrooms are you trying to get in the house?
elcieg
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Hi Dar, glad you are in the mix! Isn't their house the cutest?
PRO
Barnhart Gallery
13 years ago
Least expensive solution could be choosing a tallish tree, trimmed up to the second floor level, then sending out branches that would offer some visual balance:
Dar Eckert
13 years ago
JudyG good to hear from you. I'm just finishing last semester of BFA in sculpture so haven't had much time to Houzz. The house design is cute from the front and by adding large dormer windows in the bedrooms would invite the outdoors in and provide ventilation, opening the windows and getting the lake breeze would be a treat for houseguests staying in those bedrooms.
Raffael Brugnoni
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for your input. The primary purpose of the dormers is architectural ----to achieve the exterior design. I am hoping they add interest to the interior as well I like the idea of extending /elongating them. Hopefully that will take care of it. Tree looks good as well! still very interested in your comments and ideas. Thank u!
Dar Eckert
13 years ago
Definately redesign the second floor. Looks like you have a window in the closet. Kind of a waste.
elcieg
13 years ago
Also, consider pocket doors where there is ample wall. You won't be sorry.

Dar, wow, congratulations. Keep me posted.
PRO
Interiors Unleashed
13 years ago
My first impression is that it is the lower windows and look that is causing your problem. Instead of extra money for dormers, maybe you could wrap your porch roof around under the dormers and stop just past them. If this is possible you will get more porch space and if not, try using the method of your inspiration photo. They used arbor type system under the upper windows.

Hope you post a picture of the finished project, would love to see how you work it out. Great house!