How did I get started? When I was young enough to go down the street alone, I'd go down the street and visit residential and commercial building sites. The older I got, the farther down the street I went.
Before The Architect
PREAMBLE: Before The Architect in the role of home design consultant was asked to plan the design of a detached garage addition in-keeping with an American Period Style home gem [really two home Period Styles], as you will soon understand. This presentation is for the beauty of the original property, its appreciation, and the extent to which Before The Architect goes as home design consultant to get it right. Truly, in this context of Period Style home imperatives, the garage design plan becomes anticlimactic.
Here's the house:
Front Of House
Back Of House
INTRODUCTION
The house at [redacted] was reportedly built in the original in 1919.
That time in America was the heyday of two American Period Styles of home clearly in evidence –
Craftsman, Eclectic, 1905-1930 and
American Tudor, Eclectic, 1890-1940 a/k/a Tudor Revival, American Tudor Revival, and Stockbroker’s Tudor.
In consideration herein under of designing a plan for a Garage to be built at Back Of House revolved a quarter-turn clockwise and set with its back in-line with the Right Of House,
Representations of both Craftsman and Tudor Revival should be reflected
Coincidentally, aspects of each style not present in the main house should not be reflected
Comments:
“When you don’t know where you’re going, any road will do." anon. In our resonance of a Period Style home design or, as in this enterprise, styles of design, we do know where we’re going and any road will, indeed, not do.
This work involves designing a whole building satisfactorily in the spirit of if not exactly in the letter of an expertly designed and constructed older structure. While this home design consultant project comes to Before The Architect proposed as a dormer-centric design matter, it can’t just be about the dormer. Before The Architect recognizes the need to extend analysis and design beyond the dormer and its directly attendant parts.
DESIGN CHOICE POINTS
In lieu of an exhaustive treatment, herein after is a broadly selective (but not entirely comprehensive) summary of the stylistic vocabulary of each, both applied (Pro) and not applied (Con)
Craftsman, Eclectic, 1905-1930
Pro:
Exposed rafter ends, albethey apparently decorative in this house
Overhanging gable-end
Overhanging eave
Triangulated gable-end overhang brackets, or knee braces, of simple format (as opposed to the elaborated brackets of certain Victorian styles)
Lower-pitched roof – at about maximum slope in this example
Window glazes in multi-pane upper sash over clear
Dominant front-facing dormer
Mixed, exterior, finish clad materials: stucco and brick masonry, wood
Gable-end decorative timber in-fill, outset
Axial drop in ridge line with additions
Front Of House symmetry in the core area is apparent.
Con:
No piers
No columns
No flared foundation
No major masonry chimney, especially though not necessarily on the exterior
No big, covered, side-to-side or wrap-around porch
Fenestration is regular in size, shape, and horizontal aspect
No exposed beam at gable-ends
• • •
American Tudor, Eclectic 1890-1940a/k/a Tudor Revival, American Tudor Revival, Stockbroker’s Tudor
Pro:
Cross-gabled, albeit weakly with a roof dormer
Half-timber
Multiple, exterior, finish clads
End porch
Overhanging gable-ends
Major front-facing roof dormer gable-end with resonant stoop roofline, though no dominant front-facing gable-end
Window mullions
Prominent vergeboards
Axial drop in ridge line from primary to secondary roof systems with additions (though less common than in Craftsman)
Con:
Windows neither narrow, nor tall, nor grouped – except for one set on L2 at Back Of House
Roof not steeply pitched
No massive chimney, usually with pots
No varied eave heights
No dominant front-facing gable-end
Front Of House asymmetry is absent
Comment: The hood moulding, or hood mould, or (if of masonry) dripstone over the main entry is Medieval Gothic in Traditional design and common to both Tudor Revival (as it was to English Tudor and thereafter, though its precedents are Classical architecture) and Craftsman. This presentation is decidedly Craftsman.
Garage designing should stick with the Pros and eschew the Cons, unless whimsy overtakes us
This association of American Period Styles of home was not accidental.
The original home designer was well-versed in his craft as were the tradesmen all the way down to apprentice level
The effect of this association of archetypal Traditional Period home styles is eminently
Salutary
Masterly
A joy to this house design consultant’s eyes
NOW YOU SEE IT . . . .
The house was not built exactly as the original home designer drew it [known because the current owner found some of the original plans and forwarded copies]
Let’s identify a couple of key features that
Not only are not the same as-built as as-designed
But also are relevant to the garage design
FRONT-FACING GABLES
At Front Of House,
Originally,
The L2 dormer was both smaller and of a Tudor style at its tails
Whereas, the stoop roof at Front Of House was of a Craftsman style at its tails
Further,
While the roof dormer originally had a roof deck slope of 12/12, properly at the maximum permissible 20% variance to primary slope (the primary having been drawn at 15/12)
The stoop’s roof slope was decidedly relaxed as it should have been, that is, in this instance, 7.5/12, or half the slope (Traditionally, the variance of a porch roof slope to the primary roof slope is 1/3-1/2 of the primary’s measure, which primary slope herewith was, as drawn, 15/12).
The original arrangement was shuffled considerably
The two roof styles were swapped, built with a Craftsman upper and Tudor lower
The lower slope was steepened to 9/12 approximately one assumes (given a 12/12 primary pitch, a 9.5/12, or 20% maximum of 12, would have been correct and both custom home designer and custom house builders knew it), roughly that of the as-built primary slope, and, in any case, approaching the slope of the dormer’s roof above
The dormer was widened substantially to align in some manner (not easily discernible from the angled pic of Front Of House) with the stoop’s roof (so-called “regulating lines" were a major part of Classical architecture and Traditional architecture and well-known and well-practiced by both custom home designers and custom house builders)
The roof dormer now appears nearly the dimension of a Victorian Gothic wall dormer – nearly but not quite overdone, essentially imposing, to be reckoned with
Not to be left out to dry, the gable-end, in-fill motifs of the original design were left in situ both on the upper and lower features, associating both styles cheek-by-jowl. (Undoubtedly, the dream home builders knew exactly what styles were married-up herewith, and saw it rightfully fitting to bring them together as had the original home designer overall.)
Furthermore, while in the original the roof dormers head timber is responsibly a step up in width relative to the other timbers in the dormer, it appears in the existing that those timbers are all of the same width (and at variance to the head timber treatment on the roof dormer at the Back Of House
The garage design should mimic the existing arrangement of gable-ends both respectively and respectfully, but never slavishly.
FENESTRATION
Front Of House fenestration is of a Craftsman cottage-style window
the upper sash of which is in this instance either 3/3/3 (often stated as 3 over 3 over 3) for the narrow dormer elements or 4 /4/4 elsewhere (a host of alternatives abounds into Victorian) and
the lower sash is always clear
In the original drawings, the upper sashes were either 3 over 3 or 4 over 4
This layout is key
Traditional dormers are fundamentally designed around their window panes from the inside out and
In proportion, balance, and alignment from the outside in
Then to the extent that the two approaches do not fit will, let the games begin
The essence of the fenestration format for these and nearly all other Traditional styles is that
The individual panes be as close to square as possible and
To the extent of tolerance, height may be increased only marginally over width and
Not the other way around, that is, not individually glazed wider than tall. (Admittedly, structure by way of headers and sills can squeeze glaze heights outside of protocol, and looks to have here and there in existing.)
This design aspect will come with us, too, to the Garage
Gauging from both main dormers at Front Of House and Back Of House format appears not only different but also, possibly, made up on-site wherein all the features are at variance, among differences being
Windows by number
Timbering size
Timbering and stucco patters
Window siting
Window size
Window sash size, noting apparently evenly sized sashes at Back Of House while cottage-styled on Front Of House
Of commonality
3-tiered glazing of the upper sash
Clear lower sash
Tudor face and Craftsman roof
Face atop the roof pitch fold
Same roof slope (apparently), Craftsman-like, definitely not Tudor
Taken together, home designers have layout latitude within which to work, and need not iconize design philosophies based on several motives –
Mixing of identifiable custom house design styles (for Before The Architect, within permission of existing)
Consistency of presentation in certain matters including, among others, fenestration
As-built variance – notably artful, attentive, and even playful – from the more learned drawings of the original plan
Siting away from Front Of House
Siting behind the house, offering us another stylistic palette to sample
Detachment from the house
Different visual acquisition given Garage story-and-a-half rather than two-story structure
So Whassup With the Garage Design Already Done [noting that the several drawings to which this text relates are not included, this home design consultant only means to continue making the points that what’s been presented is now to be used and the lengths to which those uses are made.]
There’s quite a lot that’s right with the design
Rectilinearity is always appreciated in out-buildings, that is, looking like that which it is makes good design sense
There’s sufficient L1 ceiling height at a maximum 9’-6" for storing almost anything, but not likely for giving up height to L2 because of the necessary let on the vertical to run up the overhead doors
The story-and-a-half structure by length, width, and height will not cause a struggle for visual attention with the main house
The quarter-turn siting of Garage to house reduces substantially problems of
Comparability
Focality
The 2 linear foot setback on the left Front of Garage is pleasantly distinctive, suggestive of an addition.
The flared primary rooflines are consistent (though as for correctness, this home designer cannot say – there appears an overinflection relative to house flares, though the fold site seems about right)
12/12 primary roof slope appears to be within correct tolerance
Comment: Before The Architect is reliably advised that the length and width and height dimensions of Garage as already drawn are inviolate [as previously given by the adamant owner]
There are only a couple of things not so right with the design [as previously presented in a hand sketch or two]
Dormer layout
Disproportioned in both site and the dominant roof dormer at Front Of House
Too tall
Too wide
Too steep, possibly
The flared rooflines are inconsistent with both front-facing gable-ends and the back-facing gable-end, too, all of which existing are not flared
The eave overhangs seems overstated
Roof layout
The dormer presents asymmetrically to the roof through which it protrudes
As drawn, there is a single roof plane on which the dormer is sited and that siting is right-of-center, roof width centerline to gable-end roof dormer centerline
A visual conflict arises because the dormer centerline is, indeed, over the garage vehicle doors on-center
The winner of this conflict has to be in almost all instances, including this one, is the resolution consistent with the front-facing dormer on its roof plane. More interesting, this is the siting resolution of the back-facing dormer, which siting disregards the split, axial ridgeline either side of the primary ridge and correctly engages the entire backside roof plane width in its centering
However, as you’re about to witness, there are at least two ways to resolve this matter and one is so much more effective designwise
FIRST THINGS SECOND – GARAGE ROOF LAYOUT
Here’s a really bad pun, maybe the worst of AG’s in so many, many years, to sort of make a point: the garage design spirit may well have been willing but the flashing was weak. You were warned
The resolution to the off-center garage roof dormer is to put it on-center
But not by moving the roof dormer
Rather by defining the roof on which it is sited such that that roof plane centers at the eave and ridge on the dormer’s center
Acquire the 2 linear foot inset’s inflection from the garage vehicle door wall segment effectively as a wall line front-to-back
Copy the Right Of Garage overhang on the new Left Of Garage interim effective wall line (as though to indicate that the wall segment of the inset introduces an addition to the Garage subsequent to the enclosed vehicle bays) and
Lower the ridge above the “added" segment, still holding to the primary slope – as was done both sides of the primary, or core structure of the house
This addition of another roof plane at Front Of Garage leaves the Back Of Garage roof plane whole (as with the house wings at their backsides)
Now the garage roof dormer is
Correctly centered on its plane and still
Rests symmetrically atop the vehicle doors…no more conflict
Resonates comfortably with existing house roof design (and, thereby, structural presentation overall)
These home design consultants leave the fold and the slope of the flare as presented,
Stating that the flare’s slope shall be consistent with the residence roof flare
Either actual slope or
In slope difference to the primary slope of the house roof or,
Of course, both.
Stating that the fold should be consistent on the vertical to subordinate structure with the house flare’s fold to subordinate structure
GARAGE DORMER REDESIGN
Proportion garage dormer body width to its roof plane width as the existing Front Of House dormer
1-7/8":6"::x:25’-6
where the former ratio is sticked from the Front Of House photo provided and
the latter ratio is from Before The Architect drawing based on metrics provided for Garage footprint and roof height limitation
x=7.9688’≈8’
Proportion the garage dormer body height from roof intersection with the dormer’s front face up to dormer ridge compared to roof rise relative to the originally drawn Front Of House dormer’s similar height to its rise
2 -1/2":3-7/16"::x:11’
where the former ratio is from the original drawing and
the latter ratio is from Before The Architect drawing
x=8’
Comment: This equality is as it should be both correct in fundamental and in application, the former being soundly proportionate at 1:1 and the latter allowing marginal dominance to the Craftsman-splayed, sized slightly over the top vergeboard profile defining the roof slope. This home designer includes these metrics in an abundance of caution, recognizing that the old ways of designing and building are rarely the new ways today. Of note, all this was known to the original building crew as the only course of action, the design norm, the building craft.
Design notes, intended to be both consistent with existing and seminal styles
Set the dormer’s front face at the fold, i.e., over the double top plates (as the other dormers’ settings appear to be)
Apply x6 linear inch nominal width as head and foot timbers (more in-keeping with the Back Of House dormer and original house dormer design)
Apply not less than x4 linear inch nominal width as vertical timbers (again in-keeping with visible and original-design precedent)
Separate 2 double-hung windows by 2x vertical timber true width (given the latitude afforded by dormer fenestration variance between Front Of House and Back Of House)
Set sill not less than 5 linear inches above finish roof abut to front face of dormers, which sill as drawn sets 7 linear inches above rough roof frame (this is about good building practice as much as good design)
In lieu of cottage style windows, one may form identical double-hung windows with even sashes as apparently in dormer fenestration at Back Of House (permitted by Back Of House dormer fenestration and which frees up having to grasp for larger [read: taller] windows reminiscent of Tudor style which form of fenestration is very largely not in evidence with existing)
Upper sash shall be 4/4/4 or 3/3/3, preferably square, in any case each glaze shall be not wider than tall (as represented throughout existing, importantly including the roof dormers)
Lower sash shall be clear (an absolute given based on existing and style characteristic)
Overhangs at eaves and gable ends shall be 12 linear inches (which closer up should be sufficient to impose some and which at 16 linear inches looked fly-away; additionally, utility buildings are not to be gussied up…if, for example, Garage were a cottage, these home design consultants might see this differently and run out the vergeboards a bit more)
Overhangs at eaves shall be open timber in Craftsman style consistent with existing treatment at rafter tails, noting approximately equal end-cuts for both faces in existing
Overhang at gable end may be braced with exposed beam ends or braces, the latter consistent with existing (beam ends being in home designer’s opinion correct for utility, or outbuilding, element, possibly considered very marginally whimsical while still correctly in-style)
Pitch the dormer roof evenly at 9.5/12, or 20% variance to primary roof pitch at Garage of 12/12 (rules is rules)
Vergeboard and cornice, of fascia board, shall each be x8 linear inch nominal (and not less and maybe a tad more, intentionally strong visually, including 5/4 thickness)
GARAGE SETBACK
Distinguishing the setback segment of Garage from the vehicle bays’ area at the roof system begs further distinction below the setback roof
Home designers prefer to mimic the Front Of House main entrance, albeit toned down in deference to Garage’s utility status and derivative expectation as to appearance
Design notes:
Center the single-swing, if possible (see re potential conflict of elements)
Widen it from 28 to 30 and retain the 68 height
At 2868 it looks dinky even without the big dormer nearby
With the dormer, the single swing at 2868 was emphatically disproportioned
It is home designers' experience and standard practice that utility doors both interior and exterior should be 30 with for both safety and convenience
Mount a hood molding atop the door, smaller and simpler than existing at Front Of House
Set a roof above the door
Extending at least 12 linear inches from wall forward with
Ridge intersecting the flare fold and
Apply in-fill consistent with Front Of House, albeit smaller and simpler
Present the rafters consistent with those of Garage dormer
POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF ELEMENTS
Specifically beyond the purview of this work, but undeniably a potential problem in the custom home building phase and with implications back to the custom home design phase, is the interior stairway design
It is this home design consultant's opinion that the metrics presented for the stairway design – 8’ maximum rise and 9’ minimum run –
Could portend unsafe and inconvenient conditions
May allude to a workaround of a difficulty forthcoming in building those stairs
Minimum standards for stairs – on which point, this home design consultant is in no mood to quibble and cut corners on safety by creating wiggle-room with reference of distinction as to habitable or dwelling units or the like – involve
Stair riser not greater than 7.75 linear inches
Stair tread not less than 10 linear inches and
Headroom overall not less than 80 linear inches from nosing up, including at the head landing
Landing width and depth shall not be less than the stairway construction served
Additionally, in these home design consultant's bood of standards – a continually clear and unobstructed space not less than a landing area shall be provided at the top and bottom of stairs without regard to crossing door or any other circumstance whatsoever
Several design conditions conspire to oblige one – possibly two – direction changes to the L1-L2 flight, among them
Limit on building height
Necessity to keep L1 ceiling height high enough to let an 8’ tall OHD to run up
Limit on building depth
Limit on building width
Call for an L2 at all
Before The Architect urges close study of stairway design safety and flight siting and direction before proceeding with custom home building
Noting that a centered single-swing may…may…be moved right to let a few stair treads on the way up to L2
If so, then
Consider deleting the gable roof
Consider keeping the head moulding, possibly bringing it out a bit more and abutting it tight to the 2’ wall on the right
Note, too, that the window in the South Elevation as presented to Before The Architect appears to be subject to crossing with the rising interior stairs and is omitted in Before The Architect’s subsequent South, or Left Of Garage Elevation
Before The Architect designs and drafts custom home plans nationwide. Its principals Ralph and Jean Pressel have worked hands-on together since the ‘60s in custom home design, drafting, consulting, plus building and repair in every major trade.Their plan sets are extraordinarily detailed; their clients' active involvement throughout is essential.
Home Design Standards - Home Building Standards 4Q08 Edition e-book at 823 pages and the website www.beforethearchitect.com at nearly 1000 pages of text and illustrations are enterprises of Before The Architect’s principals.
» left by Laura M. from New Jersey (2 years 1 day ago.)
Where are the AFTER pictures?? Please show. Respond to this comment
» left by Ralph Pressel(48,035) (1 year 346 days ago.)
Dear Laura,
AG and The Missus have no "after" pictures. This commission involved consulting only and no formal plans. The client's intention seems to have been to take the consulting work to a local draftsman for drawing up.
» left by carla niles from pittsburgh (234 days 6 hours ago.)
does anyone know anything about a vintage exhaust fan for my bungalow's bathroom. I just heard about a laurelhurst fan company, has anyone used on of their fans yet? thanks
» left by Autocad Granddad from Georgia (234 days 6 hours ago.)
Dear Carla,
Neva hoid of 'em. I am impressed over the years, especially more recently, about the increasing quality and quantity of 'vintage' features of decoration. You should be at ease asking the sellers what's so vintage about the item and PROVE it to your satisfaction. This proof may come from your own independent research or from the vendor's lead. Good inquiry. There's a lot about the past that's worth bringing to the present, including in home designing. It's a fundamental comfort to appreciate a heritage. Thanks, AG
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
.jpg)
.jpg)
tweet this!