We are currently designing a house that needs some special exterior help.

It backs onto a creek, so for environmental reasons, it needs to be set right up to the front setback, and the footprint has to be minimized to reduce disturbance on the lot, so the shape of the house is basically a box.

To add to this, the house must be set about a half floor above grade for flood protection (though the garage can be at grade).

This all adds up to a rather imposing looking house - two and a half story monolith close to the street.

Many of the surrounding houses are set back further and were built before this flood plain requirement, so ours may seem like a bit of a monster in the neighbourhood.

We've tried to give the facade a bit of relief by dropping the room above the garage a half floor, plus adding some bay windows that reach almost to the floor in the main floor front room.

But we really need further ideas as to how to make the house seem less imposing. The only thing I can think of is perhaps a tall tree in the front yard. Are there any other 'illusions' to help the house seem shorter? Like horizontal stripes? ;)

Thanks!