Shingle Style Studies

Ron Brenner Architects is working on a new home design to be constructed in Minnesota. The home features two master suites - one for mom & dad and one for grandma.  The design draws inspiration from the Shingle Style and Arts & Crafts.  Below are a few of the initial image studies.

A)  Grandma is situated under the smaller gable to the left.  Notice how the roof line connects with the main gable above.

B)  Here we disconnect the roof lines further and have a more prominent front gable treatment.

C)  Twin gables convey a stronger arts and crafts influence.

D)  Gable dormers create a more subtle design statement.

Which one do you like the best?

New Home Design features Granny Flat!

Simply Elegant Home Designs is now offering a new house plan featuring an above garage "granny flat" apartment - The "Deephaven Eclectic Cottage".

Earlier this year one of my designs was featured in a new book called "In Laws, Outlaws and Granny Flats" (Taunton Press, by Michael Litchfield).  The book features ways that folks can add value to their homes by adding second dwelling units.  This seems so relevant to me given our current economic climate.  Therefore I decided to develop our first house plan that features a second dwelling unit.  The result is our "Deephaven Eclectic Cottage" - illustrated below.

Form is dominated by crossing gables punctuated with shed dormers.  Careful attention was paid to the scale, proportions and patterns developed by all of  the various building elements.

The apartment above is accessed by it's own entry at the back of the garage.  If desired the garage can also be segmented to provide a private parking zone for the apartment.  The main floor features gracious open living spaces and a wrap around front porch.  The screen porch is placed at the outside corner thus minimizing its impact on natural light and views from the spaces within.

Upper Level Floor Plan.  The apartment (above the garage) includes it's own kitchen, living, bathroom, eating areas and bedroom.  The apartment can also be accessed from the second floor of the main house.

"Black and White" color study - front elevation.  This demonstrates the simple yet sophisticated character of this home.

Rear Elevation

Right Side Elevation

All in all I think this is a really exciting new house plan offering.  More information on this home can be obtained at the following:  "Deephaven Eclectic Cottage".

Mother In Law Banished to Garage!

Fine Homebuilding is looking for good examples of "mother in law" units that they can publish in an upcoming book (click here).  

This reminded me of a project I designed a few years ago at Ron Brenner Architects.  The project was actually for grandpa.  A couple we were working with wanted their single 80 year young grandfather nearby, but Grandpa still wanted to live independently.  The solution was to utilize an attic space that already existed above their detached 3 car garage.  With a little planning we were able to create a plan which accommodated a kitchenette, media / sitting space, bill paying / desk space, bedroom zone, dining and a bathroom.  See photos below.

It turned out to be the perfect space for a single guy, but by the time the project was completed, Grandpa..... well.....he found other accommodations with his new tootsie!  That's alright though because the space is perfect for a college student, a young person starting their career, or even for a long weekend visit from Grandpa AND his new gal-pal!!!

Simple,Unique, Creative and Green House Plans