06/02/2023
This is a great page for any would be home owners, renovators or those looking to build their forever home. Great design is all about how you, the home owner, like to live and how you will interact with the spaces in and around your home.
HOME DESIGN HINT: Your home's exterior
I'm a big believer that great design isn't about how something looks ...
It's about how it feels, and functions, and performs over time. AND, how it helps your life be better, more convenient, more fun, more organised, more peaceful.
In fact, the best design is almost invisible. It does such a great job, it just gets out of your way.
This is the kind of design I teach homeowners about in Undercover Architect, and inside my online courses and programs (especially HOME Method).
When you achieve this kind of design, how you wrap it up is pretty much up to you, your budget, (and anything your local planning regulations have to say!)
The volume of your spaces will generate 'the form' of your home.
So, think about how you want your ceiling heights, roof design and overall building shape and appearance. Discuss it early with your team, and don't wait until you've got the floor plans finalised.
These sketches show the same home, with 2 different front elevations. Exactly the same floor plan, but differences in the external design include:
>> eaves vs no eaves to the front on the main roof
>> changing the design of the wall over the entry
>> changing the shape of the front wall and how it extends to the right
>> the window design in the front room
>> and material ideas
Both can work, however which one is chosen largely comes down to personal taste.
So, don't get caught up in styles or telling designers you want 'Hamptons' or 'Scandi' or something else.
Talk with your team about getting the design right in its function, orientation, layout, light and volumes.
Tell them about how you want to live in your future home, and how you want it to feel (plus how you want to feel in it).
Create the right indoor / outdoor connections to maximise the use of ALL of your site, whilst maintaining privacy.
And then discuss what aesthetics you prefer, but know that those aren't what necessarily drive the quality of the home's design.
I hope you found that super helpful,
- Amelia, UA x
PS want some tips on your ceiling design? Listen to Ep253 wherever you catch your podcasts, or here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/253
