Unless there is a functional reason for the smaller gables (raised ceiling in those interior spaces), then I prefer the second rendering. Now, take a look at the remaining gables and look for ways to make them more architecturally interesting and correct...! :-)

Virgil- no functional reason for the little gables, so they can go! How to make the remaining architecturally correct??

Ideas for gambrel roofs:

Lastly here's what can happen to a gambrel roof when it isn't designed creatively and with care:

Do you have a straight-on rendering? The angle makes it a little harder for me to judge if/how well the sides are balanced. That said, I think I prefer the second (fewer gables) look.

I posted this in your other thread:

With the gables it looks like the proverbial lipstick on the pig in a way. I say that because the gables serve absolutely no function and a gable should at least look like it has a function.

I'm wondering if you could change the windows and roof up there so it's more like JDS's example.

You posted back that you couldn't change the roof. However looking at both it's not the roof that is changed but how the window juts out from the roof. Same thing in Virgil's first example above. Notice in Virgil's example that it is a dormer jutting out from the roofline and that's why in Virgil's example the gable works.

The twin gable front looks as pointlessly decorative as the four gable version. (Let alone the ridiculous shutters.)

Not to worry though!

Arrays of pointless poorly proportioned baby gables are a common Neo-eclectic feature, so you'll be au courant.

I would not mix these very different roof shapes on the same facade.

Shed dormers are more appropriate on gambrel roofs.

I see the shutters are back....

JDS, that looks so much better!

If it works with the plan, it would help to shorten the width of the dormer-like elements on each side of the cross gambrels.

That's what I was trying to explain by showing Virgil's photo.

Wow! What an improvement!

cniss20 -

For the love of all that is holy and good, please implement ALL of JDS's suggestions!

It will transform your very bad existing elevation into something quite appealing.

Nested gables do have a history on practical grounds.

Virgil lol! I hope the house doesn't do that!

Worthy - you crack me up. I think we're screwed lol.

Thank you for your suggestion CP!

JDS that home is beautiful I wish it could be mine! I want to implement as many of your suggestions as I can. Unfortunately, I can't bring in the dormers in on the sides becaus if the interior space.

Also, the side gambrels right now are kind of like "faux gambrels". The framing is added on the outside to make it appear gambrel, the gambrel doesn't go through and through.

I think a lot of the difficulty is coming from the roof. The rendering doesn't clearly show the pitch that we're trying to work with. Please let me know if you can read the numbers on the pic below...

I'm wondering if there's a way to ditch the gambrels altogether and maybe we can just use gables on the front and side? I'd rather do that if it's nicer.

dauglos - I don't have a straight forward rendering, but I do have the elevations. Not sure if that'll help?

I think you might also have to post your upstairs layout for the experts to see. (That's not me. LOL)

It is possible to modify the gambrel fronts regardless of how they are framed.

Shortening the front "dormers" 3 ft each would remove a floor area at each end of the second floor of 2ft x 3 ft. I think its well worth trying to make that work with the plan.

The roof plan doesn't agree with the elevations nor does it appear to be possible to build it as drawn. There are amateurish errors on every side of the roof.

Its time to tell you that you need a more skilled person to do your drawings or it will be a nightmare to build.

While we're at it, some meaty Tuscan columns should replace those flagpoles on the front porch...! Need something with some oomph right there! :-)

The House of 7 Gables is a Post-Medieval English style house brought over from England in the 1700's. They were part of the inspiration for the Shingle Style.

I like JDS's idea of narrowing the top. Ditch those fake shutters

The whole design looks contrived. It looks like a simple gambrel roof structure collided with a hip dormer, then tried to be covered up with applied gambrel dormer over a gambrel dormer. In a gambrel roofed structure, expansions outside the roof's surface should be continuations of the upper roof structure.

Dormers should emerge from the geometric form of the gambrel whether they are sheds, gable, or gambrel. See McKim, Mead, and White or Robert A. M. Stern.

When I first saw the initial rendering I thought it was manufactured housing. The forms of the house really don't read well, which means the plan likely doesn't work well either. Time to reassess...?

This is the best I can do with the roof plan. I would frame it differently but at least the original plan no longer has any warped planes or lopsided gambrels.

This is one instance where I wish emotions were used in the Forum. Words fail me.

Hi JDS, thank you very much for correcting the roof! We'll show our architect so it can be corrected.

Hi Everyone! I appreciate all the feedback but I'm not sure what to say. I didn't think the original elevation was that terrible, but now I'm freaking out somewhat. We can't really dorm over the windows because the roof isn't steep enough. And the house can't be converted to a true Dutch colonial because of the internal plans :/. I think I will start another thread asking for front elevation ideas based on our plans. Just to scrap the whole thing and start from fresh.

Given your height limit, I don't think there is a better option than a gambrel roof so don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

It is quite possible to shorten the "dormer" elements as shown in my sketch since that only removes a dozen square feet of floor space at the second floor of the house which is a small price to pay to keep your current design scheme. Filling in the hollowed-out" gambrel gables and using shingles, narrow rake trim and no corner boards will give the house the appearance of the Shingle Style which IMO will make this a spectacular house.

There is an easier solution for the two roof slopes: make them the same. If you think that would change the appearance of the side elevations, please show us those drawings and also show us a section drawing through the house with the roof slopes well labeled (I can't read any of the notes or dimensions on the drawings).

I don't want to offend you but to me the skill level of your designer is below what I would expect from an architect. I don't care who you use but if he/she is not architect please don't use that title.

Well shucks everyone hates it. I dont particularly hate either, but I suppose the 2nd picture would incorporate bringing the gambrel style towards front. Perhaps just do one singular gambrel dormer in the center and shed dormers on the sides of that.

This discussion was moved to another thread by the OP.