Garrison Colonials can appear puggish and they needn’t
The house designer has two choices –
Gussy-down, meaning emphasize Garrison’s characteristic L2 overhang feature by unadorning in the true Early American style of Northeast Colonial
De-emphasize the Garrison feature with gussy-up
Before The Architect prefers gussy-up to stark on principal merits of
The latter’s out-of-place appearance in all but highly selected settings
It’s hard to get suffusive daylighting in the historic representations
Comment: Of interest, ample fenestration approaching contemporary standards is not so tough by the time we’re designing in-keeping with the all-but-forgotten and gorgeous Southern Colonial house styles at large, except the very earliest presentations and the enduring Virginia Farmhouse style of Fauquier County. Garrison’s – true Garrison Colonials – are just a tad too early in American residential development for adequate daylighting in this designer’s opinion.
Now putting house design lipstick on a Garrison can take one of two basic approaches
Both involve adding features to the front façade
Each has options
Add a pavillion, or the appearance of a stair tower, for the main entry
Add a portico
Optional modifications can include – and should selectively – anything else to soften the see-the-pug look
Big [read: correct] shutters
Window boxes
Bay window
Fancy and fenestrated main entry assemblage –
Sidelites
Transom or palladian
Wall sconces
Finials to a welcoming entry stairs of width and sizeable landing
Etc.
Across-the-front decking
Symmetrical entries either side of the main entry – if interior layout permits
Chimneys – false or fact
And so forth
Herewith, we address the pavillion design approach
This picture is of the front façade of the Garrison Colonial which Before The Architect will update.
“Before" Before The Architect, Front Of House
All the markings
Banal and blah, almost a cliché
Uninviting entry
Unexceptional everything
And it’s a split
Model Drawing To Get Where We’re Going
Here’s a mid-phase version of a Front Of House Elevation in model drawing format
Adding interest overall
Variously colored to highlight whassup.
All that’s happened on this façade so far is
A front-face bump out in the form of a sort-of wall dormer
Adding 30 square feet of foyer
Lessening the Garrison’s overbearing overhang
Somewhat lessening the split level identity
Emphasizing the main entry with a modern-day version of an aedicule
Window boxes
Model drawing of Front Of House – Mid-Phase, Elevation
Comment: The dear reader should be aware that Before The Architect was broadly and deeply involved in this update both inside and out beyond the front façade: major addition on the backside (an effect of which will surface in updating the Front Of House; major deck addition behind the newly enclosed space; interior up-dated from the 50s. That involvement ran nearly 2 years, since the owners chose to do much of the updating on their own.
AN UNUSUAL ELEMENT
As designing progressed, an opportunity to be just a little different arose
The additional, enclosed space in the back forced the new roof ridge over the addition to peak above the existing by about 3 linear feet.
Choices:
Peak the new roof as a clerestory across the existing ridge by way of a shed roof over the new structure
Peak the new roof as an overriding, intersecting, front-facing gable end.
Here’s a massing or concept drawing of these two choices
Optional Roof Structure of New in Back Of House over Existing, Shaded Wireframe in Front Left Isometric
The owners chose the override
The clerestory design was too contemporary for ‘em
The designers agreed
Referencing the big bones of the Garrison style, however much muted
Referencing the neighborhood’s total absence of any contemporary design, however eclectic
THE NEARLY FINISHED PRODUCT
Time passed, design and update demolition and construction progressed
New main entry pavillion
Plus-plus
New, major main entry door and surround
New sconces
New, gussied-up landing and skirted stairs
New cementitious siding
Larger double-hung windows
New shutters (store-bought)
New bay window with skirt
New window boxes with flowers
New trim
New paint
New fencing around back
Two more chimney chases – one for the furnace stack, one for a new fireplace insert
Two alcoves either side of the existing fireplace on the Right Of House in Dining for built-in cabinets
The overriding roof structure
Skirting
Where We Were Headed
“After" Front Of House
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.
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» left by Anonymous (1 year 90 days ago.)
I'm wondering what approximately is costs to add a front to your door like this? Our house currently has no space when you walk in the door and we'd love to add an entrance if the cost is right. Any ideas would be helpful
Thanks
» left by Ralph Pressel(47,061) (1 year 89 days ago.)
Dear Sir or Madam,
Building costs vary widely across our fruited plains. We've home-designed in places of less than $50 per square foot for building cost and over $350 per square foot. From where AG sets, there's no telling.
Please consider gaining a sense of home design and home building costs local to you in your own neighborhood. Reputable local design-build firms and other well-experienced home building contractors should be able to fully satisfy your interests in these regards.
Thanks,
AG Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 54 days ago.)
I have to admit that the home looks much better, however I still think it looks like a "split." I am buying a 1940's garrison home in the Boston area. The exterior needs tweaking and it needs major curb appeal. However, I feel in love with the charming interior & back gaden with Koi pond. What do you think about adding a farmers porch? I'm hoping the roofline will hide the "split" and add charm. What are your thoughts? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Respond to this comment
» left by Ralph Pressel(47,061) (1 year 50 days ago.)
Dear Anonymous,
AG and The Missus suggest you consult with a local house designer.
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