Every design poses a unique challenge,
and the designer's first task is to snoop
it out. In a recent project that required
adding on to an attractive dormered
cape, I was posed a challenge regarding
scale, specifically: How do you successfully
add onto a handsome, well-proportioned
house that is about 15% smaller
than it appears to be?
The Problem
The 28-foot-square main house has a
7-on-12 roof springing from about a
foot off the second floor, with the gable
end prominently displayed on the east
side as you approach the house (see
sketch, below). A one-story back ell
measures about 21 feet by 30 feet.
Expanding and remodeling the ell in a
way that harmonized with the main
house