I don't like the two sets of windows on the left ... they look like those found on 1960 FL/CA ranches.

Your entry "tower" looks too tall and doesn't seem to relate to the rest of the roof.

Honestly, I like the original house better.

Not a fan of the guard tower:  it just doesn't seem to belong.

@chispa -

1. So you'd reduce the height of the tower - 100% agree. I think it looks bad in the rendering. Here is another of the front elevation, and more accurate - the lone difference being we did move the entrance closer to the garage to work with the limits of the existing floorplan. Note the rendering I first submitted incorrectly omits a dormer window.

2. Not sure I follow about the windows, what would you do to improve it?

Here's another "tower house" rendering which looks equally imposing, overpowering and not appropriate, IMO.

Second Chapter · More Info

I'd go with a touch of Asian and keep the proportions respectful of the current roof line. The center section of both these Asian homes could work for you.

Asian Inspired · More Info

Here's a tower translated into a clerestory window which probably opens up a room inside quite a bit.

Asian House 2 Devil's Thumb Boulder · More Info

Put me on team leave the house as it sits.

The original architect's elevation has a concept of a "wood beach hut," where the existing clipped gable roof fits that, and the scale of the tower was (attempted at least) reduced a smidge with some frosting on the cake detailing (a bit of distraction here and there).

Your stucco version is now a "Class B commercial strip mall" concept. Tower is top heavy, disproportioned, the elevation is unbalanced, now the clipped gable is out of place as is the tower brackets. You'd be better off with a black-n-white line drawing to compare to the first concept (and make one of the existing too) because fancy color 3D renderings with Teslas, pavers, and trees are a distraction to naive eyes.

IMO that large entry tower is looking pretty dated as designs go already. Perhaps something that fits the scale of the house would be better.

Here are some new models with entries that are reduced in scale.

I'm not a big fan of the guard tower either.

the before shot just needs some tweaking. landscaping. new windows, porch area, driveway/garage door. (square it off)

I don't think you need all the modern foo-foo to redesign it. rework whats there and spend a good amount of money on landscape design

I like beverlys second photo.

I don't like the two sets of windows on the left ... they look like those found on 1960 FL/CA ranches.

I'm a fan of midcentury ranches, but I agree with this^^. Also, skinny windows are hard to dress. The only treatments that look right are blinds or shades. And when it comes to that, it seems like your only options are slightly room darkening or full blackout, nothing in between. I really wish I could have done blinds + curtains on mine but it just looks dumb on a skinny window like that.

The original is timeless and charming, with a few updates.

I like the house as it is. I know the big entry/tower/portico is extremely popular in FL, but there is nothing the matter with entry as it is, I would just think about putting larger windows over to the left.

I am not a fan of high tower. Some rough visual

I do like the idea of adding a portico of some kind at your front door and don't dislike the "guard tower" (as someone else called it). In a hot sunny climate, however, at least consider keeping front porch on the left side of the portico -- you could have the roof of that front porch match the roof over the garage. You could even add a waist high wall to the left end of the porch that could have a built in seat that is also a package delivery box if you get a lot of packages delivered to your home.

I do not care much for the idea of a double glass front door (unless you're living in a gated community). Seems like an unnecessary potential security risk. Your front entry should, however, reflect your taste ... but at least consider a more traditional door -- but with a pair of sidelights.

Both of your renderings look like the poorly designed builder specials I see all over FL. The seond one with the two witches hats are especially bad.

The original house is a classic and will still be stylish long after the guard tower houses are a thing of the past. I think what may be throwing you off is the arched portico in fron in the original. maybe redesign that without the prison tower.

Park an expensive red sports car in your driveway an be done with it.

No tower, it reminds me of the 90s when every new build had a turret. Love some of the other ideas with a grand entry door.

I also agree with PP that the turret is too much. there are some really good alternative ideas here that are way better than the original rendering.

Google "strip mall facade" and then decide whether you still want a tower

The 3D rendering and the elevation drawings are not the same design. Which one are you proposing?

Not mentioned yet - the dark garage door looks like a black hole as there is no other black on the exterior to relate to.

The original is much preferable.

Is getting rid of the porch on the left about letting more sunlight into the home? If so, go for it but do invest in windows that will help with minimizing heat/ac costs.