Duplex Colour Scheme and Facade

Hi all,

currently going through a development building a duplex. Me being not very artistic is not very good at making the front facade of the duplex attractive. This is currently what the architect has so far

Anyone keen to comment and help out as to how to make it bit more prettier/attractive?
Can't change anything structurally but happy to spend 10-20k to improve the look.

Duplex located in brisbane will probably be sold around 490-520k.

 

Oh dear

When you say nothing structurally does that mean we can't move the gable that's on the roof?

I have a few ideas and I will draw on your plan to explain them

 

Any chance you could put up the plans too?

 

sorry don't have plans not showing the address. Don't think I can move the gable

 

Increase the size of the windows by decreasing the number? I'd say that the front room is the Master and the windows are for the bed, walk in and ensuite?

 

you are correct. Good idea !

 

Hmm ok

Well I think it needs some balancing.

- I would move the gable to the middle (would be a structural change though but wouldn't affect DA or anything like that)
- I would frame out a rendered blue board section which would go in a L shape between the two floors and create a pass through to get to the front door. This would make the ground floor wider than the upper floor and balance it. You could terminate the L at the end of the garage if you didn't want to make it wider than the downstairs. This would still give a visual break between the upper and lower floors. The framing need only be 100mm deep and is easily constructed.
- I would get rid of the stone look section, it doesn't do anything for me.

 

Oh can windows be changed? I considered them structural too. I agree with sonamic - change to 2 windows

With the upper cladding I would consider using a vertical cladding like JH Axon to give it an appearance of being taller.

 

all great points. Thanks so much guys !!

 

I would also (if allowed) widen the driveway/crossover area and if possible have a 3m crossover for one then a 500mm garden bed dividing and another 3m cross over for the other side.

 

Being thinking about changing it to vertical cladding too.
might have to look into the windows

 

Did a real, qualified architect design this or was it a drafty?

 

architect. why ?

 

I know why you are asking that and I was thinking the same.

To be brutally honest @hpresident it is not an attractive facade and I would expect much better of an architect. I'm assuming you've paid good money to have an architect do it and you shouldn't have to have your own artistic skills, the architect should be able to provide a much more attractive and aesthetically pleasing elevation/facade

 

Totally agree. That's what you are paying the big bucks for.

I would be going back to the architect and expecting a better facade and at no extra cost to the amount you have been quoted for the design work. The architect should be easily able to make some suggestions and do a few quick outlines.

I would not be paying the full amount until you are satisfied.

This design may affect the value of the property to a buyer.

 

Some architects are just draftees in disguise....

 

I've seen some rather unclear titles in my time:

Architectural Designer = not an architect was a drafty
Designer = not an architect was a drafty
Residential Designer = not an architect or a draftsman
Design Consultant = not an architect or a draftsman

 

My concern is that the proportions are all wrong and the gable doesn't fit at all. This is a red flag. I just can't believe an architect did that.

I had an architect do a design for my Reno. It included some full height corner windows.

I sent the drawings to a drafty who drew them centred on the wall, not in the corner. She just didn't get that the windows were placed in the corner for solar access and garden view! I should have used the architect's drafty.

 

TBH I thought it was a Dixon Homes jobby.

 

Well long story short, it is a dixon base design. This duplex is going to be built next to a existing home forming a three town house complex. Engaged an architect to do some additional work such as colour scheme, overall site layout ect. Didn't think the facade would look so ugly until now