GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

Blending energy efficiency with attractive design: “Boxy But Beautiful”

Pat_Kiernan | Posted in General Questions on

Is there a good source of images or ideas for Passive, Net-Zero or Pretty-Good Houses that have managed to strike a balance between sound energy efficiency and an attractive exterior design?

Some GBA articles have wrestled with this:

Banish These Details From Your Plans

Martin’s Ten Rules of Roof Design

How Many Green Building Principles Are There?

Origami-Inspired Homes

Bronwyn Barry talks about “Boxy But Beautiful.”

I’m trying to accommodate some neighbors who feel that my envelope is too simple. I’m trying to avoid the “multiple articulated masses” that has become an acquired taste. I would like to make my box more beautiful without significantly compromising efficiency.

I’m grateful for any images or ideas. I’m in climate zone 6 — western Colorado.

GBA Prime

Join the leading community of building science experts

Become a GBA Prime member and get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

Replies

  1. davorradman | | #1

    Awesome question. I hope someone will offer some resources to browse through.
    I've been wrestling with this myself during (ongoing) design phase of my house.
    We more or less settled on a flat roof Borg cube :)
    10x10x6.5m.

    Some details that I have picked up can at least break the box a little:
    - slightly inset front door
    - coloured windows
    - color strips between windows

    Though few people would call our house beautiful, we like it.
    Coloured windows and a better architect (the design is my own) our out of our budget, but we have put comfort and efficiency before looks, and we are satisfied. The only concession we made was going with flat roof, though I would have been happy with a hipped roof as well (but wife prefers flat).

    I am not ashamed to attach a current 3D render, just for reference how far in simplicity some people, like us, are willing to go.

    Currently, I am exploring what kind of porch roof would go well. Something to offer shade AND protection from rain and snow.

  2. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #2

    Pat,
    When I need my appendix removed, I hire a surgeon.

    When I need a professional to provide design services, I hire an architect.

    Or, in both cases, it's possible to do it yourself.

  3. STEPHEN SHEEHY | | #3

    Get the various Houses issues of Fine Homebuilding Magazine. FHB also does an annual Energy Smart Homes issue that has some nice houses. (Full disclosure, my house is one in Winter 2016).
    Check out the websites of architects specializing in energy efficient homes.
    What do you mean about accommodating neighbors? Do you need to comply with a Homeowner's association?

  4. Expert Member
    Dana Dorsett | | #4

    Transitions in cladding type, changing up window aspect ratios, adding covered porches & patios, playing with roof symmetry/asymmetry & angles etc can add a lot of visual appeal to an otherwise "shoe-box with a gable" without compromising efficiency. Get creative, make lots of drawings/renderings, and get advice before committing.

  5. user-2310254 | | #5

    Arch Daily is a good site if you are looking for inspiration. But I would not go overboard trying to accommodate neighbors. It's your house and money after all.

  6. user-5527914 | | #6

    Here is our house that is currently under construction. We tried to blend a simple design with something that looked good to us and the HOA. We went with 4 colors for the house, 2 tone siding, trim board, white for windows/gutters/soffit/fascia. The garage is on the north side of the house. We are excited to see it built.

  7. Pat_Kiernan | | #7

    Davor at #1, I appreciate your tips. I liked your "Though few people would call our house beautiful, we like it." I Imagine it reflects your priorities, budget and tastes, which is what home design should be about. I'd enjoy a look at your 3D render.

    Martin at #2, classic smug comment from someone who knows all too well the joy of DIY. I'm in conversation with three architects. I'm hoping that simple architecture is discovering an expanded vocabulary.

    Stephen at #3, I'll check FHB, thanks. In Carbondale, CO the neighbors are allowed to appeal a permit and they have forced a redesign after my permit was approved by the building and planning officials! There is no design review board or homeowner's association, just small town politics.

    Dana at #4, very helpful suggestions. One architect I worked with proposed an angled asymmetric shed roof that added interest.

    Steve at #5, Arch Daily looks interesting. hadn't visited that before. Prospect New Town http://www.prospectnewtown.com/neighborhood/#take-a-spin has some interesting ways to dress up simple. It's awkward that the neighbors can have so much influence without clear and specific direction from the town.

    Brad at #6, Looks like you added some nice variety with materials and colors, and varied the masses with the northern garage. Any colored images available?

    Thanks to all!

  8. user-2310254 | | #8

    Pat

    In my regular line work, l often encounter clients who want simple. I advise them that simple is hard, and we should budget accordingly. I think the same rule applies to residential design, which is why there are so many ugly monstrosities lining the streets of America.

  9. Pat_Kiernan | | #9

    Steve,

    So to do simple well is harder and more expensive?

  10. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #10

    Pat,
    You're right -- my comment probably came off as smug, but that wasn't my intention. My point was that architects are trained to help clients like you. If I had a design problem, I would consult a good architect -- because an architect is smarter about design than I am.

    Sometimes owner-builders cut corners in the wrong area. Spending a few thousand dollars for design help can result in a better design, and in some cases can even save money.

    You just told us that you are in conversations with three architects. That's good. (I didn't know that when I posted my comment.) I hope you can find an architect you're comfortable with.

    1. Deleted | | #27

      Deleted

  11. STEPHEN SHEEHY | | #11

    Pat: Are there specific criteria in your community that govern house design, such that neighbors can complain? Who decides such issues?

  12. Pat_Kiernan | | #12

    Stephen,

    There are somewhat specific, though loosely defined, criteria in our development code. There are also more broad "character" clauses. The specific phrasing is supposed to take precedence, but the bodies that interpret the code don't always honor that. The appeal of my permit was supposed to go o the Board of Adjustment, a quasi-judicial body. Since the town failed to staff the required Board of Adjustment, they sent it to Planning and Zoning (improperly I believe). I don't feel I received a fair hearing by architects who wanted to see multiple articulated masses -- not a specific code requirement.

  13. Pat_Kiernan | | #13

    Martin at #10,

    Thanks for clarifying your intention. I wish I'd gotten an architect involved sooner.

    As an engineer, I'd rather be reading the latest on GBA than wrestling with aesthetic design -- which also speaks to your point.

  14. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #14

    Pat,
    I can identify with your approach. When it comes to choosing paint colors, for example, I always defer to anyone in my family who has an opinion (because I certainly don't -- my gut says, "it's just paint").

    Then, when I'm driving around, I sometimes see a wonderful paint color that changes everything. I'll say, "Wow! That house looks good!" (And I'm thinking, "Who knew that paint color matters?")

  15. user-2310254 | | #15

    Pat,

    This is just my opinion, but I do think it costs more to do simple well. To me simple means a modern or mostly modern transitional style. Creating modern lines requires precision. You can't cover up sloppy work as easily. Hiring skilled professionals capable of doing precise work is typically more expensive--if you can even find those individuals in your area.

  16. user-5527914 | | #16

    Pat, no colored drawings are available. I wish the builder would have offered that to us because we are left to driving around various neighborhoods trying to find our color scheme and see how it looks. We have only found a few with two tone siding and even fewer with the horizontal band boards. The only house we have seen with 4" & 6" lap siding is the house next door which was the same builder. The owners, however, decided to do one solid color which reduced the visibility of the siding size difference.

  17. AdamT | | #17

    Old thread I realize, but I'm running into the same concerns today. A cubed box with a shed roof turns me off. That being said, New England colonials were boxy. They were the original Pretty Good House and were extremely efficient. I'm starting to think this design could use some updating... modern larger windows, 9' or 10' ceilings, wrap it in a thermal blanket and you might have something.

    1. brendanalbano | | #20

      Yianni Doulis and Jessica Helgersen's home is a pretty good example of a contemporary take on this style (in terms of aesthetics, I don't know anything about the house's performance).

      From the Architect's website: http://www.ydarchitecture.com/#/big-sister-2/

      From the Interior Designer's: https://www.jhinteriordesign.com/wild-goose-farmhouse

      1. AdamT | | #24

        Thanks Brendan!

    2. Expert Member
      MALCOLM TAYLOR | | #22

      AdamST,

      If you want to see how other designers interested in high performance building have dealt with this, you may find the illustrations in the recently published Pretty Good House book useful.

      1. AdamT | | #25

        I'll be picking that up. I saw they had the Sugar Bush House which is anything but boxy. I think it's a one bedroom, 1.5 story home. It seems most of the interesting designs are 1 or 2 bedroom cabins like that one.

  18. gstan | | #18

    HERE IS A LINK TO A FIRM WHICH DESIGNS SOME OF THE MOST ENERGY
    EFFICIENT HOMES IN NORTH AMERICA - THERE ARE MANY PICTURES AND
    SKETCHES ON THIS SITE.

    https://www.passivedesign.ca/

    1. AdamT | | #26

      Thanks.. I actually stumbled on that site 30 minutes ago before coming here.

  19. Robert Opaluch | | #19

    Maybe I'm just an engineer techie type, but I believe that traditional Colonial and Cape style homes look fine. They are simple rectangular boxes with a gable roof. Simple, easy and affordable to build, and not offensive in appearance, just generic common looking classic styles. Not beautiful, but I don't see how someone would complain much about that classic appearance. Same for the house plans posted by user-5527914, classic appearance. One principle that works and is simple....use symmetry in a facade. Not a requirement, but It helps provide balance and a pleasing appearance.

    Some modern architect designed homes don't look beautiful or balanced to me, maybe they are just making an attention-grabbing artistic statement? One home near where I built was an architect-designed home and garage shaped like giant mushrooms. That led to the formation of an architectural control committee to avoid other outlandish designs in the subdivision. Some "modern" homes look like a few colorful boxes stacked together somewhat haphazardly. And I doubt they would stand the test of time, more likely look dated 40 years from now. Although I agree that architects, interior designers and landscape architects usually can provide some good ideas to improve a design. I've used them myself, and read their informative books.

    There is some value in keeping things simple, affordable and functional. I like turrets added to a home design to make it look more aesthetically interesting, and a classic style. But when I start figuring out the complexity of framing a turret and conical roof, it likely would involve more labor than an entire Colonial style home!

  20. plumb_bob | | #21

    I think increasing the roof overhang is a simple and practical way to improve the appearance of a simple gable roof.

  21. tdbaugha | | #23

    My house plans. The main house is as “boxey” as I could do with being attractive. Attached garage on an angle is a little complex but not bad. Only 1 valley on the entire roof. Faces West so that side has 20’ overhangs and exterior solar shades.

  22. seabornman | | #28

    I'm curious; what grounds to your neighbors need to appeal a building permit? Is simply "We don't like it" enough. Honesty is the best design feature. Look at saltbox houses: a design bred from energy efficiency and simple, honest construction practices.

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |