Chapter 9

Exterior Design Factors

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Links for Chapter 9

Site Considerations

Design Basics

The Design Process

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Introduction

• The design of a house does not stop once the room arrangements have been determined

• Considerations must be given to the site, the style and shape of the floor plan, and the exterior style

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Site Considerations (1 of 2)• Neighborhood - Size, value, and design of the

home should be similar to those around it• Review Boards - Sets minimum standards for

homes built in a particular area-many areas have architectural control committees-these boards often set standards for minimum square footage, height limitations, and the type and color of the siding and roofing materials

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Site Considerations (2 of 2)

• Access - A home requiring universal access should blend in with the rest of the homes-the narrower the lot the more access will affect the location of the entry and the garage-a corner lot will allow for much more flexibility in garage and house placement

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Site Accessibility (1 of 2)• Main entrance to be no farther than 6’-0”

behind longest wall or at an angle up to 45°• At least 15% of the street-facing façade must

be windows• Garage wall can be no longer than 50% of the

entire façade of the home• Garage can not be closer to the street property

line

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Site Accessibility (2 of 2)

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Elements of Design (1 of 5)• The elements of design are the tools the

designer uses to create a structure that will be both functional and pleasing to the eye

• These tools are line, form, color, and texture

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Elements of Design (2 of 5)

• Line - Provides a sense of direction or movement of the structure– Horizontal lines are used to accent length– Vertical lines are used to accent height– Diagonal lines create a sense of transition– Curved lines provide smooth transitions and

provide soft graceful feeling

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Elements of Design (3 of 5)• Form - Created by lines

and used to accentuate specific features

• Forms may be used to break up the length of a residence

• Used to create a sense of security

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Elements of Design (4 of 5)• Color - Distinguishes exterior materials and accent shape; creates

a dramatic difference in the final appearance– Hue - Actual color– Value - Lightness or darkness of a hue– Intensity – Brightness or strength of a specific color– Colors may be classified as warm or cool

-warm: reds and oranges; tend to make objects appear larger or closer

-cool: blues, greens, and violets; make objects appear farther away

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Elements of Design (5 of 5)• Texture - Refers to the roughness or

smoothness of an object-Rough surfaces tend to create a feeling of strength and security; gives an illusion of reduced height-Smooth surfaces create a sense of luxury; gives an illusion of increased height

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Principles of Design

• Line, form, color, and texture are the tools of design

• The principles of design affect how these tools are used to create an aesthetically pleasing structure

• These principles are rhythm, balance, proportion, and unity

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Principles of Design

• Rhythm - Leads the eye from one place to another in an orderly fashion; can be created by a gradual change in materials, shape, and color

• Balance - Relationship between various areas of the structure– Formal - Objects are symmetrical

– Informal - Objects are nonsymmetrical

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Principles of Design

• Proportion - Relates to the size and balance– Common proportions - 2:3, 3:5, 5:8– The relationship of house to the environment– Must be considered for interior and exterior

• Unity - Relates to rhythm, balance, and proportion– Similar features relate to each other

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Floor Plan Styles• Single Level - Provides stair-free access;

attractive to people with limited mobility• Split Level - Suited for sloping sites and

combines one- and two-level residences; many clients like the reduced number of steps

• Daylight Basement - Both levels are seen from since it is on a sloping site;

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Floor Plan Styles

• Two-Story - Living and sleeping are separated and less land is required

• Dormer - Uses attic space to provide to extend the sloped roof

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Exterior Styles

• Usually based on housing styles from past designs

• Georgian– Basic house that uses formal design– Uses columned entry way– Door is at the centerline of house– Form and symmetry

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Exterior Styles

• Saltbox - Followed the Georgian styles but without the detailing; two story front and one story rear

• Garrison - Upper floor extends beyond the lower floor.

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Exterior Styles

• Cape Cod– One level with a steep roof

– Dormers used to create extra space

• Federal– Designed in the late 1700’s

– Uses the Garrison design with a higher roof pitch

– Windows capped with projected pediments

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Exterior Styles• Greek Revival - Built with classical proportions

and decorations of the classic Greek architecture; low sloped gable roof

• Southern Colonial - Looks like a Georgian except for the flat covered porch that extend the length of the house

• English - Unsymmetrical layout designed in the early 1800’s; windows are diamond shaped

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Exterior Styles

• Dutch - Uses a gambrel roof• French - Incorporates the mansard roof

design and found more in the south• Spanish - One story house usually made

of plaster or adobe; low roof• Farmhouse - Uses two-story construction

and is surrounded by a covered porch

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Exterior Styles

• Ranch - One-story elongated floor plan with a low pitched roof

• Victorian - Originating in the late 1800’s, this house is very ornate and irregular shaped

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Exterior Styles

• Contemporary - No special style is followed but the needs and lifestyle of the owner are reflected

The End!!!

Questions??