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Ok, so this post contains some images of my playing around both with the massing of the house, as well as my first real attempt to create anything in Google Sketchup.
In regards to the design itself, I am quite happy with the overall layout and massing (despite the fact that I have yet to draw up a 2nd floor, which I’m sure must seem counterproductive to some!) While I’m not close to finished playing with the the design, this give a pretty fair representation of what was in my head 3D wise.
In regards to the design itself, I am quite happy with the overall layout and massing (despite the fact that I have yet to draw up a 2nd floor, which I’m sure must seem counterproductive to some!) While I’m not close to finished playing with the the design, this give a pretty fair representation of what was in my head 3D wise.
You'll note that the massing changed somewhat from the sketch. I've gabled the left side of the house instead of a hip with the dormer- it just seems to be better balanced in that configuration. I also went from a hip dormer over the Library to a shed dormer- again, it seemed to work better.
There are still some areas that need to be finished (the model's not complete). Particularly at the back and the sides, where window configurations have yet to be determined. I'm also trying to figure out what to do with the roof at the Casual Dining bay- I had considered a Gable or a shed, neither of which seems to look good. I think the best option may be a simple hip roof, or possibly eliminating the bay altogether.
One concern that was raised (or at least I interpreted it as a concern) was the inefficiency of the overlay between the 1st and second floor (the 2nd floor in fact being comprised of much attic space.) Indeed, in this configuration, probably the entire master suite and garage would be unfinished attic.
In reality, I’m not sure that this posses a problem for me. I see this sort of thing quite often here in Texas. And, with proper planning, it does allow for the house to “grow” without negatively impacting the exterior (unfinished attic becoming future bedrooms or game rooms).
However, I have also thought of an alternate configuration which might place more balance between the 1st and 2nd floor (well, a bit more anyways.) I’m still giving thought as to whether or not I will pursue that though as there are several issues to be resolved in this new configuration. More on that to come later, AFTER I post a 2nd floor layout.
One concern that was raised (or at least I interpreted it as a concern) was the inefficiency of the overlay between the 1st and second floor (the 2nd floor in fact being comprised of much attic space.) Indeed, in this configuration, probably the entire master suite and garage would be unfinished attic.
In reality, I’m not sure that this posses a problem for me. I see this sort of thing quite often here in Texas. And, with proper planning, it does allow for the house to “grow” without negatively impacting the exterior (unfinished attic becoming future bedrooms or game rooms).
However, I have also thought of an alternate configuration which might place more balance between the 1st and 2nd floor (well, a bit more anyways.) I’m still giving thought as to whether or not I will pursue that though as there are several issues to be resolved in this new configuration. More on that to come later, AFTER I post a 2nd floor layout.
Nice work so far Chris. I have mixed feelings about that front fireplace, it looks good but coming up through the roof valley could be problematic.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the chimney could be an issue at that location flashing-wise (I'm less concerned about it from a framing standpoint). Could always put a cricket behind it, but there is still the potential for leaks if not done properly. I'll have to give that some thought.
ReplyDeleteglad to see you over on a site where you can post comments. I see you stayed away from the hip on the left side of the original sketch. this seemed to unbalance the composition, but the gable roof negates that issue. The chimney stack nestled in the crotch of the gable is a distinctive tudor revival look that has always made me glad I didn't have to warrant it. It is the most dramatic part of the elevation however, and goes nicely with your plan.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you hipped the main roof at the second floor plate height if the result would work for you. Maybe hip the garage roof at the second plate height as well. I'm curious to see how a garage roof dormer or 2 will play into this. I'd be inclined to want to differentiate between the main roof dormer and the garage dormer so they don't fight with each other.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments Thomas. There are some possibilities with adjusting the roof massing some. Massing wise, I've never been a big fan of the dutch, or "clipped" gable look that you are talking about here. But then again, I haven't tried it, so I'll reserve judgement till after I see it. I was planning on switching materials on the side gables once they got above the 2nd floor for the sake of economy, but obviously that's not reflected in the posted images.
ReplyDeleteI also still feel that the garage side needs a dormer at the front, but I agree that it needs to be treated as subordinate to the main one above the Library. Probably the best way to accomplish that is with scale. I'll work on revising the model later this week.
I still have some thoughts about reconfiguring the downstairs; I need to sketch up and see if it works better or not.
I do admire your plan a lot. especially the master suite-laundry-closet set up. There's a lot of clever planning in that area. It's interesting that greg,david, and I have all wound up locating the laundry next to the master, rather than using it as the mud room/buffer which is more typical in this size home. Your solution is by far the most elegant of the 3 with its combined access.
ReplyDeleteI don't think my dutch hip idea is going to work for your plan either. Its just that the delicate scale of the front facade is going to be dwarfed by those massive gable ends. I was looking at some Voysey elevations recently where he treated the gable end above the second window header with broad vertical tudor boards.(Walnut Hill Farm) Another which was stone up to the header, then a flared out drip section with plain stucco above. I'm sure you'll work out something.
I greatly appreciate the compliment. More and more of my own clients, in particular the "empty nesters", really like the closeness of the Utility to the Master Closet/ Master Suite area. In a larger household with children still living in the house, it makes less sense probably.
ReplyDeleteI've got several books on Arts and Crafts architects (Lutyens being my favorite). Vosey did some interesting buildings, although they had a tendency to feel a bit quirky to me in terms of massing or detailing. There is some nice work there, however. Walnut Tree Farm is on the cover of one of his books (or a book about him rather).
Regardless, I do think that something other than the masonry needs to happen in the side gables. It's just too much cost to expect someone to lay a 35' tall wall of masonry veneer. The "heavy timber" look with stucco infill (as Walnut Tree Farm) would look very nice (I've done this on a few of my projects). The proportions and materials have to be done in such a way as to avoid the 1970's "Neo-Tudor" look that was so popular at the time, and so hideous now :P.
I'm less sure about projecting the end of the gable to cantilever over the 2nd story. Might work on a front gable, if it had a bay window centered below it, but I suspect it would look odd on a side gable.
BTW, I did look at the clipped gable suggestion, and the massing did look odd I thought. I didn't save the model, but if you'd care to see it, I could post the results fairly easily.
Maybe I would try pulling the gable in a foot or two - let the cross gable roof extend up to the second floor sill. That's a Lutyens approved design motif which would fit you design. But having seen the work you posted on CORA facebook, I have no doubt whatever you decide will work great. I did a plan based on Deanery Garden a couple years ago.- posted the rendering on facebook also.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to compare Lutyens and Voysey. Very different dudes, despite both coming out of the English A&C tradition.