What Makes for Good Design? - Fine Homebuilding FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Main Menu
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Main Menu Subscribe
Houses By Design

What Makes for Good Design?

A look at the qualities that separate masterfully designed homes from those that are mediocre.

By Kiley Jacques
Article Image
Photo by Kat Alves

Recently, one of our podcast listeners, “Troy from Portland, Oregon,” contacted us with a design-related question (always appreciated). He sent four photos of a newly built house in his neighborhood—one of each elevation—and commented on its severe lack of appeal. I couldn’t have agreed more. There are a number of reasons for calling it an example of bad design, including:

  1. No clear style
  2. Confusing facade and circulation path
  3. Cheap building materials
  4. The only entry is into the garage
  5. Nonsensical window placement
  6. Poor proportions on pediment
  7. No architectural interest
  8. No marks of craftsmanship

Photos courtesy of Troy

Troy followed with a question that boils down to: What makes for good design? It got me thinking about the things I look for when considering houses we might feature in the magazine. As I was making my list, it occurred to me that it might be fun to share it. In my opinion, the hallmarks of good design include:

  1. Clear style or reference to style
  2. Uncomplicated rooflines
  3. Right scale for the lot and neighborhood
  4. Regional appropriateness
  5. Distinct hierarchy of forms
  6. Clear entry and circulation pattern
  7. Appropriate window sizes and placement
  8. “Architectural rhythm”
  9. Restrained ornament
  10. Details with impact
  11. Points of focus for the eye to pause
  12. Quality building materials
  13. Marks of craftsmanship
  14. Functionality
  15. Elements that tie the whole house together
  16. Connections to the surroundings
  17. Broad appeal

Troy’s question also spurred me to revisit Kate Wagner’s McMansion Hell, which is an entertaining way to learn about good vs. bad residential architecture; and I found an excellent Fine Homebuilding story titled “How Great Houses Take Shape” by Jeremiah Eck. One of the things I appreciate about this piece is the fact that it was written in 2008, yet is still spot-on today. The six design principles that the author outlines are just as relevant a decade later, proving yet again that “good design is timeless”—a cliché, but true. Below is a selection of houses from past articles and/or blog posts. Each has something to offer in the way of understanding what makes for a well-designed house.

 Photo by Anthony Crisafulli, courtesy of Austin Patterson Disston Architects

Though a newer build, this house is obviously influenced by the Shingle style (1880-1900) with its naturally weathered cedar siding, rustic stone foundation, double-hung sash windows, prominent porch, multiple dormers, and asymmetrical patterns.

Photo by Charles Miller

Simple forms in a distinct hierarchy are pleasing to the eye. Here the house is organized into three volumes—the gable end, the center section, and the screened porch. There is a clear and concise relationship between them—primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Photo courtesy of Andre Rothblatt

This is a good example of how a simple roofline can be impactful. Its broad gesture mimics the expansive landscape.

Photo by Susan Teare

A clear and inviting entry makes a house sing. The one shown here is particularly celebratory. It’s possible to achieve the same result with more modest materials and scale. The point is to draw people into the house.

Photo by Steve Bronstein

Located in Great Barrington, Mass., this farmhouse-inspired build is a direct response to its place in The Berkshires. Its form, materials, and even the color harmonize beautifully with the natural surroundings.

Photo by Susan Teare

A mix of high-quality building materials and window units distinguish this home, as do the clear marks of craftsmanship—the most obvious of which are the entry and eave treatment.

Photo by Brian Pontolilo

This LEED Platinum–certified house sits on an infill lot in Squamish, B.C. It is a model of sustainable, ecologically responsible design and construction. Using the smallest possible footprint and nontoxic building materials, it was designed for minimal disturbance to the natural environment. Not only were LEED points earned for being on an existing infill lot near public transport, but it also scored points for not being in a flood plain, wetland, or environmentally sensitive area, and for being close to community resources.

Photo courtesy of Designs Northwest Architects

Built to withstand tsunami conditions, this house on Camano Island in Washington State sits on 9-ft. concrete columns, which are tied into a concrete floating slab. The connections for the panel wall system—located below flood elevation—were designed to resist waterfront wind loads, but they are meant to be weak enough to fail during a high water event, enabling water to flow through the lower level. A steel moment frame is tied into the concrete frame, creating a hybrid structural system for lateral seismic design. In the event of an earthquake, the entire structure will move as one unit. It is the ultimate example of a house built to hold up to its environment.

Photo by Eastman Creative, courtesy of Nea and Michael Poole

This renovated barn in Richmond, Va., is a study in architectural rhythm. The symmetry and repetition of the windows balance the whole composition. Any element, such as brackets or columns, can be used to create patterns to visually tie a house together.

Photo courtesy of Living Stone Design & Build

The craftsmanship of this bay window treatment is on full display in a prominent location. Good design often includes decorative features that are strategically placed to have the most impact.

If you have a project that might be of interest to our readers, please send a short description and images to [email protected].

For more on design:

  • The Power of Good Design
  • Big Ideas for Small Houses
  • Designing a House for the Sun: Four Strategies

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Sign Up

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

×
X
X

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Houses By Design

View All
  • High Design at Home in Nature

    High Design at Home in Nature

  • Retrofit of a Timber-Frame Farmhouse

    Retrofit of a Timber-Frame Farmhouse

  • Celebrating Efficient Post-and-Beam Construction

    Celebrating Efficient Post-and-Beam Construction

  • Building a Prototype

    Building a Prototype For Net-Zero Neighborhoods

View All

Up Next

Featured Story

2021 International Builders Show online experience

Attending in Sweatpants: The Virtual 2021 International Builders' Show

A pre-show primer on the first-ever online IBS trade show. Stay tuned for upcoming podcasts, product features, and more.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Attending in Sweatpants: The Virtual 2021 International Builders' Show

  • High Design at Home in Nature

  • Retrofit of a Timber-Frame Farmhouse

  • Celebrating Efficient Post-and-Beam Construction

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

  • Fine Homebuilding All Access
  • Fine Homebuilding Podcast
  • Tool Tech

    Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

  • "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

    Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Texas home built to the WELL Building Standard

    Design Review with Laura Britt

  • Podcast 235: Residential Architecture, Rusty Cars, and Ruined Floor Joists

  • 2020 FHB House Sneak Peek

  • Podcast 195: Replacing Porch Flooring, Creating Comfortable Spaces, and the Right Trim for an Alaskan Ranch

View All

Whole House Design

View All
  • High Design at Home in Nature

    High Design at Home in Nature

  • Retrofit of a Timber-Frame Farmhouse

    Retrofit of a Timber-Frame Farmhouse

  • Celebrating Efficient Post-and-Beam Construction

    Celebrating Efficient Post-and-Beam Construction

  • Foundations for Success

    Foundations for Success

View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition

    Buy Now
  • Musings of an Energy Nerd

    Buy Now
  • Fine Homebuilding Magazine Slipcase

    Buy Now
  • 2020 Fine Homebuilding Archive

    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 297 - Feb/Mar 2021

    • Foundations for Success
    • Staircase Renovation
    • Ditch the Hose
  • Issue 296 - Dec 2020/Jan 2021

    • Insulating Glass Keeps Getting Better
    • Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb
    • Making Sense of Minisplits
  • Issue 295 - Kitchens & Baths

    • Condo Kitchen Reimagined
    • Row-House Remodel
    • Rise of the IAQ Monitor
  • Issue 294 - Oct/Nov 2020

    • Schoolhouse Reimagined
    • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses
    • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls
  • Issue 293 - Aug/Sept 2020

    • A Practical Guide to Fall Protection
    • Installing Frameless Cabinets
    • Make Any Tablesaw Safer

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Manage Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility

© 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Account

  • Log In
  • Join

    Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

    Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

    All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

    Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

    More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

    Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 52%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in