Get Your House Right

One of my favorite design reference books has got to be "Get Your House Right by Architect Marianne Cusato, designer of the Katrina Cottage as seen below.

It's not the first book of its kind, but it's one of the most user-friendly.  I've read this book cover to cover going through several (no joke!) highlighters in the process...I read every word...it's fantastic!  I constantly refer to it during meetings while explaining residential details to my clients.  It's loaded with beautifully rendered details broken up into sensible chapters.

My favorite part, no doubt, is the side by side detail comparisons...one labeled "use", the other, "avoid".  What a great way to explain a concept!  It's sad to say but the "avoid" details are much more recognizable than the "use" details...simply due to the number of ill-designed houses most of us pass by on a daily basis.

So, if you're an architect, builder or an "interested" homeowner be sure to add this book to your library...and buy a pack of highlighters!

A Good (Re) Starting Point!

I've been inspired (or re-inspired!) to get back to blogging after receiving a nice email about Architectural Patterns this morning from David Andreozzi of Andreozzi Architects. There are just too many good (and sometimes not so good) things to write about!  So check back in with me each Tuesday and Thursday if you've got a couple minutes to spare...looking forward to it! 

Gold Star Architect - T.S. Adams

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.tsadamsstudio.com



Gold Star Architect - Tim Winters

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.timwinters.com



Gold Star Architect - Stephen Blatt

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.sbarchitects.com



Gold Star Architect - Shope Reno Wharton

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.shoperenowharton.com



Gold Star Architect - Russell Versaci

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.russellversaci.com



Gold Star Architect - Peter Zimmerman

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.pzarchitects.com



Gold Star Architect - Peter Pennoyer

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.ppapc.com



Gold Star Architect - Scott Merrill

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.merrillpastor.com



Gold Star Architect - McAlpine Tankersley

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.mcalpinetankersley.com



Gold Star Architect - Lew Oliver

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.wholetownsolutions.com



Gold Star Architect - Ken Tate

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.kentatearchitect.com



Gold Star Architect - Ike Kligerman Barkley

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.ikba.com



Gold Star Architect - Michael Imber

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.michaelgimber.com



Gold Star Architect - Historical Concepts

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.historicalconcepts.com



Gold Star Architect - Geoffrey Mouen

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

 

www.gmouen.com



Gold Star Architect - G.P. Schafer

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

 

www.gpschafer.com



Gold Star Architect - Ferguson Shamamian

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.fergusonshamamian.com



Gold Star Architect - Fairfax & Sammons

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.fairfaxandsammons.com



 



Gold Star Architect - Estes Twombley

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.estestwombly.com



Gold Star Architect - Eric Watson

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.ericwatson.com



Gold Star Architect - Dungan Nequette

 

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

 

www.dungan-nequette.com



Gold Star Architect - Cooper Johnson Smith

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

 

www.cjsarch.com



Gold Star Architect - Ben Pentreath

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

 

www.benpentreath.com



Gold Star Architect - David Andreozzi

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit.  Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors.  Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.andreozzi.com



Gold Star Architect - Allison Ramsey

Here's another architect's website that's worth a visit. Genuine architectural patterns can be seen in almost every photograph...from the building forms themselves (scale, proportion, massing, etc.) to the smaller details (windows, columns, porches, etc.) that make up the carefully crafted exteriors. Also note how the houses (mostly new) seem to fit seamlessly into the environment in which they are built...timeless architecture!

www.allisonramseyarchitect.com

 





Things that make you go hmmmm...25

Forget about the undersized shutters for now...this detail would look better if the support above the window matched the condition below. It was obviously just stuck on for the dreaded "curb appeal"...sorry, it's just not very convincing.  If the opening (a window in this case) is rectilinear, then the the supporting detail above should be follow that shape. I get it...arched windows weren't in the budget...trying to fake the arched appearance just makes it look worse.

Things that make you go hmmmm...24

Details like this are proof that the roof probably wasn't thought about until after the floor plans were finished...a common problem resulting from overcomplicated roofs.  You can't see it in the photograph, but there is a smaller roof element called a cricket moving water toward the front of the house to prevent leaks and ice damming.  Cricket = roof band-aid.

Things that make you go hmmmm...23

 

These shutters are almost sized correctly and I love the way the window pushes up into the gable beyond the eave line...because the ceiling is vaulted...no fakery there!  It's the stuck-on brick arch that ruins it for me...a flat limestone header or stucco equivalent would have been a better choice.

Things that make you go hmmmm...22

 

A pictoral definition of stuck-on stone...probably with a nod to French Country style!  In the real French countryside houses would have been stone to start with then eventually stuccoed over as a sign of wealth.  As time wore on the stucco would have broken away here and there exposing the original stone material.  The stone should be behind the stucco, not in front!  Some people get it right, most don't.

Things that make you go hmmmm...21

 

The columns in this shot should come underneath a beam that in turn supports the roof...columns should never run all the way up to the porch ceiling.

Things that make you go hmmmm...20

 

Two things here.  The window is set too close to the porch roof...a lower sloped roof would have worked better and been more authentic.  Second, there should be a visible support over the opening even though the steel behind is doing the heavy lifting.

Things that make you go hmmmm...19

 

The door in this photograph is dwarfed by the trendy oversized transom above it...proportion-wise, the transom should be shorter and less prominent than the door below.

Things that make you go hmmmm...18

 

Here's a great example of why not to use windows with grilles between the glass...they disappear!  Leave them out altogether or specify simulated divided lite windows that have grilles adhered to each side of an insulated glass panel.  Simulated divided lite windows, or SDL's, are gaining in popularity which is good news as their costs continue to fall...check them out.

Things that make you go hmmmm...17

 

No need to say too much about this one...it's like someone actually tried to make it look like one giant door!  This garage should have three separate doors, or one large and one small door.

Things that make you go hmmmm...16

 

A classic Mr. Potato approach to window design...pick a shape and stick with it...more isn't better.

Things that make you go hmmmm...15

 

Stacked column details are rarely seen in residential buildings...and just as unlikely to be designed and / or built correctly.  The centers will align but the lower columns need to be wider (to support more weight) than the columns above.

 

Things that make you go hmmmm...14

 

If your finish carpenter can't build decent looking brackets, then order them from a catalog.  The elliptical arch over the entrance looks stuck-on...better if left off altogether.

Things that make you go hmmmm...13

 

Good job on the conductor heads as part of the gutter system as well as taller first than second floor windows.  The stucco window details are a bit overdone though.  The window surround should be wider on top than on the sides, the layered keystone is unnecessary and the panels seem out of place.

Things that make you go hmmmm...12

 

Another window seat detail that probably looks better on the inside than on the outside.  In most cases, non-angular bay window seats should be internal...a great traditional solution is to flank an internal window seat with closets...a timeless, beautiful detail.

Things that make you go hmmmm...11

This bay window is too large when compared to the rest of the house. Stacked bays seldom look good except when they are found on a much larger house.

Find the Genuine Architectural Patterns...3

The material and color palette makes this house really looks great. Only two materials are used...concrete and wood...concrete for the foundation and wood for the siding and trim. A contrasting paint scheme helps to make the details of the house come alive.

Find the Genuine Architectural Patterns...3

Shed dormers are a great way to add second floor space to a smaller scale house. Notice hoe the roof wraps around the walls of the gable. It's also a great help to keep the materials and details consistent.

Find the Genuine Architectural Patterns...3

A believable detail is the focus here. Concrete blocks stopped just under the floor...used for structural support and nothing more...honesty of materials and purpose is what makes this house look so good!

Find the Genuine Architectural Patterns...3

Here's a great example of an approachable entry. Just enough roof to protect the front door and visitors from the weather.

Find the Genuine Architectural Patterns...3

Most garages in this neighborhood are detached and accessible from a shared alley. I wouldn't normally endorse front load garages, but this one seems to fit in better than most...and it's detached! Note the careful attention to detail including proper scale, matching materials and a beautiful single door. It even looks like their may be a living space under the roof framing...well done!