The Exterior Side
The exterior of a home is often overlooked in the design process. The majority of the investigation process when designing a client’s space is spent around trying to learn what works and what doesn’t work in their current space or their childhood home. When a new client comes into our office, they are usually fully prepared to show us what they want their interior spaces to feel and look but most often when asked about the exterior the conversation is flat.
I have always been inspired by wonderful homes and beautiful mansions and public spaces. An interesting and well executed exterior is one where you can see eras of all kinds and is repeated in great places-the way that classical thinking or a reinterpretation of anything is about one generation respecting or literally loving something about a thing that has come before. Understanding the history, and integrating that to see how you can create something new from that process is crucial in moving architectural history forward. Finding ways to inspire the clients about how to find a way to tie those elements together to fit into the future and to be at home with their exteriors is a great collaboration.
Clients do not typically spend a lot of time trying to understand the styles of architectural buildings, however neighborhoods that people are drawn to are ones that are established and have a history to them. In new subdivisions, most homes do not exude style or architectural history.
When the discussion regarding the exterior is addressed the majority of clients do not know what they want but they can clearly tell us what they do not like. Complexity adds cost and therefore many builders will dumb down the exterior detail. And nearly never is a landscape architect brought in during this process. I firmly believe that this is a mistake. Designing the entire project to be cohesive requires all professional disciplines. You cannot overlook the importance of a great looking exterior and a well designed landscape plan. When added to a well thought out interior you have a winning combination. One that will hold its value and one you will look at for decades and appreciate. So in closing please do some research on your exterior preferences, make sure you give consideration to the exterior, you want to drive up and drive by loving it!! For generations to come.