Creating an Aesthetic Assemblage from Diverse Elements
DC Metro Area
insights on residential architec-
ture have been published in
House Beautiful, the New York Times, Southern Living, the Washingtonian, Washington
Post, Colonial Homes and Other periodicals. Ask the Architect appears frequently in the Times Mirror news group, and has been featured in titles published by Media General, Network Communications and others.
“How can I unify a group of different architectural elements in an attractive way?”
Answer:
Throughout an architect’s career, problems are encountered that require a thoughtful design approach. For centuries, architects have used the design concept of placing a frame around a diverse group of architectural elements to unify them. For example, two adjacent elements, such as windows or doors, are placed within a perimeter frame.
Further embellishment is achieved with a decorative panel placed between the windows. Thus, the individual architectural parts are grouped within a perimeter frame and the new assemblage creates an architectural feature with more visual importance. Here, the design architect judiciously decides what building features are worthy of this architectural treatment.
Photo Examples of Unifying Different Architectural Elements
The photos below show homes built from the 1880s – 1920s utilizing this design concept. But the concept is applicable to any and all architectural design, regardless of style!
Have another question? Want to know more specifics about additions for specific period style homes? Feel free to contact us!
About Bruce
Bruce Wentworth, AIA, is a practicing architect whose insights on residential architecture have been published in House Beautiful, Southern Living, Washingtonian, Colonial Homes, and other periodicals.
