The best of both worlds

Residential Architect, March, 2005 by Wayne Visbeen

achieving visual integrity without compromising function

Some of the more common features on today's homes are there purely for the sake of visual integrity. Consider window shutters, for example. When originally designed, they served an important function--especially on homes in the path of hurricanes or tornadoes. Today, however, most window shutters merely hang in place for aesthetics.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

However, far more pleasing to both architect and homeowner alike are those features that achieve visual integrity without compromising--or completely eliminating--function.

cupolas on the comeback

With recent advances in soffit design that dramatically increase air intake, ridge vents alone do not always provide proper airflow. On such homes, cupolas not only provide a dramatic visual statement, they also serve an important function.

I find that this frees me to explore various looks for a home's design that I might not otherwise have considered. Today the cupolas can serve a useful function, they can't be considered "frivolous" extras by a homeowner looking to trim costs.

carriage doors really swing

Like the window shutter, carriage doors once graced a lot of properties. With the advent of overhead garage doors and electronic garage door openers, however, carriage doors fell out of fashion.

It has always bothered me that such a large expanse of exterior space was devoted to a basically bland wall. A standard garage door reminds me of a stretched canvas, waiting to be painted.

Now, however, there are garage doors that have the visual integrity of carriage doors, yet function as overhead doors. The best of both worlds. These doors provide an aesthetic so appealing I, for one, don't always hide garage doors at the side of a home, but will face them directly onto the street as shown above.

re-creation

Cupolas, carriage doors, even window shutters are being re-created to provide the visual integrity they once lent to America's homes without compromising function. It's a trend that's struck a chord with today's homeowners who are seeking cost-effective ways to individualize the look of their homes.

It's a trend that I salute, both for the options it provides and the respect it shows for the traditions of the American home.