Here is a simple design scenario:
A client asked for a re-design of the front facade of a house: a gable wall with a small half-hip roof at the top. The upper window is symmetrically placed, but the lower windows & entry door are all offset, giving the front facade an unbalanced appearance. The steps up to the front door were also awkward: an abrupt entrance from the street just a few yards away.
Given the style & era of the house, it very likely had a porch at one time, and many inspiring examples were found in the neighbourhood & in another nearby community which has a strong heritage character.
The decision to add a porch was a significant & fundamental design choice:
- giving a more human scale to the 1-1/2 storey gable facade
- creating a welcoming transition from the public street to the private entry
- providing shelter from the elements before entering the house
- adding heritage detail in keeping with the character of the house
- a way of disguising the asymmetrical windows & door
I presented the client with four basic options for the porch roof design, each with two variations. Neither is a 'right' or 'wrong' choice - each basic option has precedents in the community vernacular - although some versions were more aesthetically appealing, to me, than others.
A: shed roof.........B: shed roof with centre gable
C: hipped roof ......D: hipped roof with centre gable
E: full Dutch hip.....F: full Dutch hip with centre gable
G: gable roof........H: gable roof with small Dutch hip
Ultimately the client chose his preference & constructed it.
Which choice do you prefer? I will post the version the client chose, with comments, next week.
