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I want to enclose a 5 foot space between the garage and house (garage was an addition many years ago before my time). Garage is perpindicular to house and they both have hip roofs. I thought it would give the whole house an added flair if this little section had a gable end (maybe even take it up a floor). My thinking is that it would break up the monotony of a rather boring hip roof. An architect told me it would look like an add on. Well maybe, but I looked at examples of some of his work and thought they looked rather added on.
So (aside from my crazy idea) how does one figure out what looks right when adding on or remodeling? Are their specific factors or basics used?
steve
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Can you post "before" pictures? You might receive as many different opinions as there are people trying to imagine your house.
But in general, I think that if you add a gable at the addition, it would stick out as an addition unless you echo it with another gable somewhere in the original part of the house. Or maybe a small gable elsewhere on either side to balance out the bigger one. (Two stories? Maybe gable windows upstairs?) Or something like that - a repeat of the design element.
Same for changing roofline or height. Try to think of the addition as part of the whole (bigger) structure, and not just as a project in itself.
Are there other houses in the neighborhood that were built like yours was? Try walking or driving around to see what you like and dislike about different ways they have enclosed their breezeways.
*Photos!Here, here!
*Sometimes it's fairly obvious how to add without drawing attention to the fact. But when it's not I start by drawing the building as it is. Then I sketch several alternatives until I find a couple (the more the better) that might work. This happens over, say, a week, or month, sometimes longer. Then, after a "cooling off period" I get the original drawing and the sketches of suitable additions out and usually one jumps out at me as the best looking. That's the one I present to the customer first, if they balk, I already have a few other ideas that I could live with.I'm a slow thinker, so the single most important thing for me is to take as much time as possible letting ideas and alternatives tumble in my head. I usually get poor results when I try to sit down and grind out something in one, or two, sittings. JLC often has a design section, and they often deal with this very topic. The Architect that writes the column shows common designs, then what would constitute good design of an addition, and what would constitute poor design. Of course, taste is subjective, but I usually agree wholeheartedly with what the author says. They might even have a design section set up at their web site.
*Unfortunately the only picture I have was taken in the summer. A tree blocks the spot! I am trying the get the tree moved but it may just have to come down. The porch roof also needs work so the gutter will be taken down. And new paint too! If I were a traditional person I can see a hip roof makes sense. But is it bad to add something for fun?steve
*Not to be too harsh, but the house doesn't seem to have much architectural interest in it (from what can be seen), so if you suddenly make a unique and interesting addition, it will stick out. I would vote for staying with something understated, and concentrate on having a beautiful interior. Also, on a modern ranch like this, you could really do something with a killer patio area in back, or other attractive landscaping. That's where I'd put my money.
*That has been my struggle. It's a ranch about 50 years old. All the books, mags, literature, there's very little, if anything on updating these houses. The backyard is great, it's divided into two tiers, patio tucked in the L shape of the house. Maples sourround the entire yard. These houses are common in this area (Eastside near Seattle). But no one has really done anything impressive short of tearing the roof off and putting on a second floor.steve
*Interesting ranch remodels that I've seen have pretty much been done from the inside. A ranch house isn't necessarily an architectural favorite...it's more of a practical abode. It's hard to change the outside of a ranch-style house without it looking like a changed ranch-style house (if that makes any sense...)To answer your particular question, if there is a tree in front of it, would anyone see the add-on anyways?
*Is the garage connected to the house now?
*No, the garage and house do not connect except by the flat roof over the porch in front of the house. There is about a 2 foot gap between the two roofs for about 20 feet or so.
*Steve - What is the intended use of the newly enclosed space? Also, you said the garage is perpendicular to the house; so is this photo the side or the front of the house?I agree with the others that it is hard to change the character of a ranch style house without it looking out of place. I have seen some nice ones, though, where they kept the basic lines of the house but added design elements to go either in a Japanese, Craftsman or Rancho direction. They all are horizontal in nature, focus on natural materials, and have simple, heavy lines.
*Is one ridge higher than the other?Just as an aside, we call that a "Dutch hip" out here in the Great Northwet. Often times the small gable above the hip forms a slight prow, instead of the barge boards running in the same plane.
*Steve, I kind of like the idea of a taller-than-average breezeway. Ranches are so horizontal that your eye wants a break with some sort of vertical element. Maybe something like a 12' high "tower" with a hip roof to match the rest of the house. Or maybe a cross-gable roof to contrast the hips. I agree with Lisa that you might not want a gable all by itself, so maybe add a couple of dormers to the main house? Maybe use a lot of glass to stand out from the dark-bodied house and garage? I don't think it's bad at all to add something for fun, but to look intentional you have to watch proportions and details.
*Jim,With my eyes, they look pretty close but I haven't actually checked them.I am looking for a contractor, where are you in this land of rain?steve
*Mike,I have also been struggling with what to do with the flat roof over the porch. So maybe a couple of dormers replace it and the third over the breezeway. I have actually seen an example of something close to that.steve
*Just a bit of doodlin'..............
*We're Southeast of Olympia. Seattle's a little out of my commuting range, thanks though.
*Good idea, Ralph. Got a plan view of that?
*It looks good. It also looks like I would be replacing the garage, at least the roof. So if I am going to do that anyway, is it a great deal more expensive to go ahead and add a second floor over part of it?
*Ralph's design has a nice flow to it. A second floor would ruin that.-- J.S.
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I want to enclose a 5 foot space between the garage and house (garage was an addition many years ago before my time). Garage is perpindicular to house and they both have hip roofs. I thought it would give the whole house an added flair if this little section had a gable end (maybe even take it up a floor). My thinking is that it would break up the monotony of a rather boring hip roof. An architect told me it would look like an add on. Well maybe, but I looked at examples of some of his work and thought they looked rather added on.
So (aside from my crazy idea) how does one figure out what looks right when adding on or remodeling? Are their specific factors or basics used?
steve