An 8,000-square-foot bluff-top residence received conceptual approval after its 220-foot front porch demonstrated the warmth and modesty traditionally associated with Craftsman architecture.
The home includes three principal wings, a garage large enough to establish its own setback, an elevator tower and a covered walkway connecting everything that had previously qualified as detached.
“Scale is not about size,” said fictional designer Art F. Massing. “It is about installing enough tapered columns that the size begins to feel neighborly.”
Renderings show the compound overlooking the bay behind a circular driveway occupied by a boxy luxury SUV and a golf cart. The golf cart was included to establish that some trips across the property may still be considered pedestrian in nature.
Neighborhood character located beneath roof
Reviewers initially expressed concern about the home’s width, height and lot coverage. The applicant responded by extending the porch across the entire facade, allowing every square foot of building to claim it was merely standing behind a traditional architectural feature.
The elevator tower was softened with shingles and brackets. The three-bay garage received carriage-style doors. An upper deck projecting toward the bluff was described as an outdoor room and therefore emotionally closer to landscaping.
The project’s extensive paving will be offset by narrow planted strips positioned wherever a vehicle cannot physically turn. Designers also reserved a twelve-square-foot patch of lawn for stormwater, native habitat and future family photographs.
At the close of the review, the porch thanked the board for recognizing its contribution. The house itself was unavailable for comment because its west wing had not yet arrived.
Start at the beginning.
The garage insists it has never met the house.