Ed's idea for the protrusions is actually a very good idea, I think, for a contemporary house. But, since I live in a 1950's house in a historic district, I was planning on giving my house a more historic look with the remodel. So, I guess, landmarker, the only option is to plant trees in front of my house to block solar gain in the summer from the east. I already have a couple of really nice trees there, including a full moon maple and a red horsechestnut. I really don't want to plant any more in the east, and even if I did, because of the steep slope of my lot, they would be planted downhill from the house, and would take years to grow tall enough to shade the house. I might not ever see it in my lifetime! The trees that I have are old, and tall, and not nearly shading the house, except really early in the morning, when the sun is low in the sky. I have actually considered putting a porch across the entire front of the house, but, I don't want to lose all of the solar gain that I get in the winter. So, I am strongly considering changing the roof lines in order to get the slope in the front. This is the best compromise that I can think of. Concerning the low-e glass then...Is it really better at keeping the heat in in the winter than it is at keeping the heat out in the summer? I keep my windows open almost all summer long anyway. So, the heat should be able to escape on it's own, right? We're also planning on installing a whole house fan for the evenings. The tintable windows are an option that I'm not really happy with, again, because of the loss of winter heat gain. Also, although they don't necessarily block the view, the tinting does affect the outdoor scene in a way that is unappealing to me.

Contact a local contractor.

Fabulous minimalist home. I'd remove the short columns with the light fixtures. They detract from the entrance door. I'd place large lighting fixtures on the wall on both sides of the door and down on the wall near the third large column. Remove rounded plants in front planter. Use wispy clumps of decorative grasses. Plant aloe or low clumps of decorative grasses along entrance walk. Remove shrubs in yard. Taller cactus or palms fronted by agave off to the right and left of house. It's not just a low box.

Thank You for the comment it does look like a hack job ..ametuer hour at its finest. Dimesnions are 8ft Height , high side against house. slopes to 7 ft on low side, outside wall. Outside wall spans 8ft in L, width if u may. its a 3/12 pitch roof so its not an issue. Listen im new at this stuff i really like it , i get how things go but sometimes i run into a quandry here and there. This was one of em. The beam size's on the outside wall joist are actually 4x4 posts in concrete. so and also 2x6 as the ledgers, i installed 1. along house 2. middle where new roof meets old. and on the outside wall the 3 4x4 post into cement as outside support so i kinda get the whole support structural idea. Its solid 0 give anywhere. flush, level, squared, its just was rebuilt w used wood not new lumber . so i just wasnt sure if removing those older wall joists is ok. and the window isnt going where ur thinking its going next to door where there isnt a roof butt so. yeah looks like a double a..s..s i understand but im just not as sseasoned on some structural techniques and what bears what load etc sorry but thanks so much for at least responding i really do appreciate it. Heres some pics of a bit better build i just did on a 8x8 shed. thats gotta be better i hope lol. let me know what u think it was my first real build of a substance structure. lol this what i just asked u about and what it was previously as u see lean to attached was just too low and so i thought it be easy to just pop the roof up and on it and extend the roof for head space but just got a little unsure structurly on how far out is ok for this low slope roof.