Trish, what area do you live in? Is there long term winter snow? Assuming the left part of plan is garage, how far forward does it project from front porch area? (Trying to get perspective for advice.)

Just searched for house with shed roof and gable dormers. Found this one. I don’t know if your center gable was a tall great room or second floor bedroom, but a wider shed dormer might work for either one.

I like the architects shed shed roof over the window on the left. That area definitely needs a standing seam metal roof. I’ll find a pic, commonly done here in Montana.

thanks Kathy. We live in Indiana.

The left is garage and the upstairs goes to about the middle of the house...

from left to right.

garage doesn't stick out super far...it's 3 car but only sticks out in front of porch about 1.5 car widths.

Thanks.

Trish I found a couple more pics when searching “modern farmhouse”. The one thing to consider, and a reason for fewer gables, is ice dams. A roof that holds snow for a while might have big issues with that. Ice damns equal leaky roofs. Also, the more gables the tougher your house is to insulate properly. Spray foam insulators need room to get in and do a proper job. I would consider using standing seam metal roofs, at the very least on the porch or gable areas. Note- if you had a shed roof as first pictured, and put a metal roof on it, snow dropping off it will be loud. (I found this out the hard way. My barn is pretty, but noisy on heavy snow nights.)

Have fun, embrace the process. Lots of great ideas to be shared.

i wanted standing seam metal roof but out of budget. thanks for tips.

I prefer the original rendering with 3 gables, but agree that there’s something off/ not great about the third gable— I think it’s the fact that it looks to be flush to the porch/main part of the house. Rather than get rid of it, have you considered having the third gabled area bump out slightly? In my opinion, this could act to further balance the front (and garage area).

Just talking about roof line, not suggesting changing your design or windows

That house is all roof. The predominant visible surface will be asphalt shingles, not board and batten siding.

probably should have posted sides...

Elevation 1 sides

elevation 2 sides

thanks for the help

That roof is going to cost you a freaking fortune to replace. And, when it does, it won't be part of your mortgage--all out of pocket.

tatts, I'd love an idea?

Rethink the middle one: it shouldn’t rise above the ridge line.

Trish, have you picked your contractor yet? Skilled local contractors could advise you here. I don’t know your yearly snowfall, but even here in Montana with our dry snow you would have huge ice dam issues with all those gables. Is there a budget for snow mitigation?

I would advise you to spend time with a local proven contractor and pay for your plans to be reviewed. It would be money well spent. There is often a huge disconnect between what an architect designs and how something should be built for local conditions.

Best wishes he’s on your build!

yes i am paying $$$ for this design from architect with input from builder ..it's been such a horrible process so far. i am beyond frustrated...thanks for all input. we have had delay after delay waiting for edits...it's way over budget and i don't like the exterior...i'm about to throw the thing away...and buy an online floorplan...ugh....sorry bad day.

Kathy are you saying the builder not contractor? yes he had a good idea or two. He and my husband think it will look fine..

My husband says it will look similar to my vision exteriors but our house is longer in middle...

this is what hubby came up with....still don't love it...lol

I kinda prefer your husband’s idea! The garage side elevation may need a shed dormer on 2nd floor to break up the long expanse of roof (and the plan calls for square footage up there). If you’re still on the fence about the 3rd gable, I think it could still work with the hipped roof in your husband’s idea, but would still bump it out (even if just a bay/bow window where the gable is flush with the center window).

Note: your “roof plan” photo does not entirely align- elevations show a hipped roof on the back that is not reflected on the roof plan.

PPF. Thanks so much for the effort. Unfortunately the middle has a bedroom. The right side does not.

There are some scale issues too. Why is the garage fascia higher than the porch fascia (blue line)?

Why is the front door head height less than the windows (red line).

The sidelights look a bit wide.

I'd raise the porch fascia so the top of the window is visible, and use a taller door to match.

Small things like this add up and result in an overall better looking elevation.

What happened here? Did that space just go away?

thanks PPF. for your input...the space on the left will be a bonus room and doesn't need to be so large so I think it was getting a hip roof? I really have no idea...my husband architect and builder have been chatting about it... he might have missed that edit.

I think it needs the 3rd gable back... obviously still not complete...taking all notes to hubby tonight. appreciate help.

OK. Hubby is awesome. He drew 3 options that we like.

Left side is garage with unfinished bonus above. It will stick forward.

Middle has bedroom upstairs. Right side has higher main level ceilings [12' instead of 9'] but nothing upstairs. Ceiling height affects the back. [why hip can't come all the way down to fascia].

Thoughts?

I have notes to make garage and porch fascia same elevation and also fix the windows and door issue.

Thanks so much for help.

1

2

3 this also changes placement of windows on right side.

i think i'm leaning towards #2. Would love opinions? if you hate them all that's ok. thanks.

Of the 3 you posted, I lean towards #2 but still would have some reservations. Is there a reasonable scenario where the right side gable/window placement could mirror the left side? (I know it won’t extend out like the garage side will, but matching the gable dimensions might bring some balance and perhaps fix some awkwardness with the roof). I understand the reason for the hip not being able to continue down to fascia on right side, but that element itself would be one of my bigger concerns. On a flat elevation it looks perfectly fine, but in 3D this might scream ‘postmodern home that took a few design shortcuts’ (I may have a bias: an 80s-built multilevel on the block I grew up on had that same ‘abbreviated hip’). Im all for 3 vs two gables- the front elevation of my own 1928 home has 3 gables, and if memory serves there’s some science to groupings of 3 being viewed as more pleasant/balanced/appealing from a design perspective. I should probably mention I’m not a ‘pro’ but do have some education/experience as a longtime hobbyist. Sidenote— I think your architect did a nice job on the back elevation!