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Architecture/cantilevered portico plans

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Expert: - 3/6/2009


Question
Hi Richard,

I see that about a year ago you answered a question about an arched roof portico.  I'm looking to do the same thing with two notable aspects:  very small - just enough to provide shelter for a 36" door, and no posts, it must be cantilevered with diagonal struts for support.  I've seen many of these around, but I can't locate any plans for such a thing. Suggestions?

Answer
Kyle - thanks for your question!

You won't find any plans for things like this, but there are plenty of examples around to look at.

The kind of portico roof you're talking about was very popular in the early 20th century on Colonial Revival homes.  There are quite a few books and websites that cover the Colonial Revival period - chances are you'll find a picture of something similar there.

You might also consider looking at homes in your town - most American towns had early 1900's building booms that included large numbers of Colonial Revival home designs.

Finally, several books on the market cover the subject of how these kinds of porticos were detailed and built.  A couple of my favorites are:

"Architectural Details and Measured Drawings of Houses of the Twenties" by Wm. Radford
"Old House Measured and Scaled Detail Drawings for Builders and Carpenters" by Wm Radford

Both are available online at doverpublications.com

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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