When we think of new construction plans many of us think of McMansions.
The word McMansion has evolved to a meaning of bad tacky architectural design.
Although the trend for McMansion style has passed, popular styles for new construction plans today lean towards a more tradition design.
If Traditional design is what you want it doesn’t mean that is what you will get.
True traditional design is based on proper proportion, harmony, balance, etc. This method is long gone. Elements and styles are now replaced with watered down interpretations of what the designer assumes it to be. The results appear like more of a cut and paste project gone wild instead of all the elements working together. Read more about aesthetics in design here .
An architect that specializes in historic preservation will use their expertise to create new construction plans that can be (if you want) contemporary with a traditional feel that will be aesthetically pleasing.
Problems Found When Reviewing Elevations for New Construction
In this case a client purchased custom architectural plans designed by an architect. The elevations were sent to me for review. I saw many changes that needed to be made not only for a better appearance but some parts of the design were absolutely ridiculous!
Here we will only focus on the simpler South Elevation of this house.
Adjustments were made to correct:
- skinny window casings
- absence of a window sills
- abnormal mutant transom window s
- belt course horizontal trim cutting through the windows
- two conflicting windows at the top looking lost and disrupting the harmony
- vertical boards in gable just stops for no reason.
- a wood sided chimney
Here you can see them both side by side and compare the difference for yourself.
Architects drawing.
Old House Guy drawing
Building a new house or addition? Let us review your plans before it’s too late.
Wow! What a difference those few changes make.
Starting to plan a carriage house/garage for a 1860’s colonial farmhouse. What is the process to get started with your company?
Hi Jim – please email me at info@oldhouseguy.com
Thanks, Ken
You forgot the pork chop returns!
Yes, he did forget the pork chop returns, thank God!
I love this blog! Now I can reference expert backup to explain why I say to my husband that these new builds and remodels look “stupid”. And I’m just a person who has no training in design but I can just know what looks dumb (growing up around old homes in Virginia maybe?) but have not been able to explain why it just looks so wrong and it’s not just me being picky or unreasonable.
The first house just looks really, really stupid. The window placement with no symmetry or sense and is horrible and I see it a lot in new houses and now it’s fixed and is beautiful. It changes my cringing into a smile and sigh. In new houses here in the west use a lot of Palladian or trapezoid windows in an otherwise “colonial” or “craftsman” home.
The top contrast siding brought down to incorporate the top of the upper windows so it doesn’t look like an after thought is great, adding a window to the front jutting out balances it, and great eave returns! and blowing away the cheap stupid looking chimney (covered with the house siding AND the use of trim to cover up the corners to avoid mitering the corner joins and the trim is always painted another color which emphasizes this eyesore because the builder or homeowner doesn’t want to pay for brick, and making it a real brick chimney.) Who draws these plans? The builders?
The changes you made result in an absolutely beautiful home that looks classic and will look great forever. Just may I applaud and say Amen! Wow, this is so fun.
I love this newly discovered blog!!
Planning to build in a few years and definitely hope to have you review plans.