Build Stratford
  • DIFFERENCE.
  • CLIENTS.
  • KUDOS.
  • WINDOWS & DOORS.
  • CONTACT.
  • BLOG.

Proportion in traditional construction

11/4/2015

0 Comments

 
One of the lamentations of our loss of respect for proper design and execution is we wind up building construction that seem "ok" but our brain tells us something is amiss. This is unfortunate as previous generations of craftsmen, builders, architects and thinkers figured all this stuff out for us, and for the most part we are just slipping into laziness and / or a sense of "good enough".
Picture
A prime example is this dormer. In the quest for extra usable space, a misproportioned cube topped with a triangle has been plunked onto this old house. It has been swathed in vinyl siding that matches nothing on the existing structure, and the proportions of the windows are simply bizarre - lots of room for a more vertical window like those of the house. A well designed and detailed shed dormer would look so much better - like the image below:
Picture
While on the subject of window shape, here is a fine example of not getting it right, and then not getting it right again! The lower double hung windows are too narrow and too close together - two wider windows would look appropriate (interesting the house next to the outbuilding suffers the same malady). And the upper window is far too wide for a double window of that height - and the windows on the back of the second story suffer as well. There is a shape known as a "golden rectangle" and its part of "design 101". 
Picture
Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Rory McDonnell

    I am a licensed carpenter, 
    an experienced general contractor, and a qualified architectural designer. My expertise is in consulting on, building, restoring, and renovating heritage homes with respect for their unique details.

    I want to share with you my impressions of the good, the bad and the ugly in the renovation and restoration industries.

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Education
    Newsworthy
    Summerhouse
    The Bad
    The Good
    The Ugly
    Travel With Build
    We Love Your House

    Archives

    October 2020
    June 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • DIFFERENCE.
  • CLIENTS.
  • KUDOS.
  • WINDOWS & DOORS.
  • CONTACT.
  • BLOG.