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Expert: - 1/5/2010


Question

Front Elevation
Hi Nazim!

This is actually a followup to a question you answered for me back on 12/8/2009 with the same question name.  For some reason, I do not get any emails (even checked my junk mail) from allexperts so I didn't have the option of following up to this question.  Thank you very much for your input, you confirmed what we were thinking about the design of the house.

I wanted to get your advice on our new redesign of the exterior of the house.  We moved the kitchen wall forward and changed around the roof line.  It still looks a little bland, we thought about adding a dormer above the dining room window.  I would welcome your comments.  Thanks again so much for your time!

By the way, here is our floor plan again (unedited from the last time).  http://i773.photobucket.com/albums/yy18/JeffGoodman/HousePlan.jpg

Answer
Hi Jeff,

Well I looked back at the old post to see what the old house looks like and here are my thoughts:

1.  The hip roof now looks quite tall now, and perhaps overly tall to the point where you may not be happy with it.
2.  A dormer might help with this, but it actually looks like the roof is high enough to house a second story -- but I don't see any stairs in the house so is there a second story?  
3.  Also the gable house ends look like they need windows since they look large enough. I noticed in the original photo you sent, there was a window above the garage.  Not sure what the space inside this window was (storage?) but it did help break up the expanse of siding.
4. In terms of being bland, yes, so an exploration of how different materials are use would be good.
5. And last comment, to me the roofs over the front porch are not working well and look busy.  I actually liked the roof on the original house photo you sent better.  Perhaps looks at a single larger gable centered on the front door again? And then perhaps it would make sense to have a dormer over the kitchen instead?

Good luck!

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
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I am a Seattle Architect and can answer architecture and design related questions. Ask me about material suggestions or usage. Ask me about design options - what is good design and what is bad. Ask me about choosing exterior house colors and furniture layout options. Ask me about detailing and assembling houses or components in the home. Ask me about green design or materials. Ask me about choosing an architect, the architectural services, basement remodels, second story additions, and whole house remodels. Ask me about garage design, bathroom remodels, laundry and mudroom design, family room additions, and roof deck additions.

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Over 12 years of practice in the Architectural field including three years of internship plus 5 years of school. I have taught at the Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University and lectured at Carnegie Mellon University. I currently own and run the Seattle Architecture Firm, Motionspace Architecture + Design PLLC.

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