r/askarchitects

Currently under contract on this 1940s colonial in New England and have been playing around with some ideas to give the exterior more character.

I like craftsman and arts & crafts style homes which is some of the inspiration. I’m considering a covered portico with decorative woodwork, new window trim, lighting, wood front door, cornice/wave detailing, shutters, cedar fence and possibly some landscaping upgrades (the goal would be to do this in phases).

I’m curious what everyone thinks of my overall design. First is the current exterior and second is an ai generated rendering. I’m open to feedback that would give the house more character.

Last thing, I’m not entirely sure how to go about getting something like this done. I obviously need to hire professionals but would I need an architect or could a contractor handle it? Also is it appropriate to share an AI rendering with a professional as a starting point or is that frowned upon? If anyone has ever done something similar, especially in New England, I’d love to hear you experience and any info you’re willing to share.

Appreciate any thought or suggestions!

A few years ago I was biking around Berlin and found this unusually placed window. I know enough (very little) about architecture to think "well, that's not distributing weight correctly to be functional so I guess it's a little architect's joke, haha, only in Berlin" and so on.

The other day I randomly came across a picture of Aarhus cathedral, not going to link a picture here but easily googleable, and you can see the same thing, arched windows rotated 135 degrees dotted around the high reaches of the exterior.

Googling around wasn't able to confirm the purpose so I ask here, why is this a thing? And is it only contained to these two buildings, or was it a wider practice?

My only guess of what it could possibly be for is casting a light onto the floor, that when taking into account the angle of the sun the shape of the shadow is then orthogonal to the walls at a particular time of day that is meaningful. Which seems insane, but that's all I've got.

Please, if you know the answer to this let me know, or if you have a good guess (but let me know you're guessing so I don't spread incorrect explanations!) Thanks

This is a houseplan in a plot area of 2400sqft for a family of three in Southindia. There is a semi independent studio space for the father on the ground floor and a large open garden area on the eastern side.
Kindly review the plan and give honest feedbacks and suggestions.
Thankyou

This is a houseplan in a plot area of 2400sqft for a family of three in Southindia. There is a semi independent studio space for the father on the ground floor and a large open garden area on the eastern side.
Kindly review the plan and give honest feedbacks and suggestions.
Thankyou

Hi everyone! We need some help with the floorplan for a future in-law suite we’ll be building. For background, we’ll be buying my in-laws house and then adding this addition to it. We’ve gotten a few variations of this but we’re not happy. (My father-in-law has chosen this building company and is spear heading it. If it were up to me I’d be looking elsewhere but that’s not the point.) So if anyone is bored and wants to offer some advice, that would be lovely!

Here’s the must haves -
It has to be no more than 822 sq ft
We need to have a door to the garage (west/left side)
A second half bath (could be combined with laundry room)
Ideally living spaces would be south facing (right now they are east facing)
Ideally ADA compatible or at least close to it

Here’s what we don’t like -
No windows facing east and not enough windows facing south
Entry from garage seems bizarre and awkward and there’s no second toilet
No pantry
**Edited to add the front door way in the corner is weird

Thanks in advance!

I am planning to buy my ancestors home from scratch.

My current house is 50 year old and weal now and lot of seepage issue.

Please review my design and share feedback on vastu