Design Workshop: The Shed Roof

This popular — and versatile — form straddles the divide between contemporary and traditional styles.

There are few architectural elements in a home that suggest “traditional” or “contemporary” as strongly as roof shape. Ask a child to draw a house and you’re likely to get a box capped with the classic gabled roof. So too the flat roof and its association with contemporary architecture. The shed, or single-slope, roof lies between. Neither entirely contemporary nor completely traditional, it brings to mind images of the woodshed or toolshed — classically informed, but contemporary in its utility.

For an architect, the selection and design of a roof form has less to do with signifying modern or traditional and more to do with determining what that roof can do for the interior space, how it can actively respond to the local climate and site conditions, and the specific requirements of the homeowner. The shed roof happens to be a particularly adaptable solution — and here’s why.

Structural Simplicity

Shed roof forms are inherently simple from a structural standpoint. The roof loads are transferred to the exterior walls, which either act as load-bearing walls or, as in this example, are supported by simple beams and columns. Depending on the interior room shape desired, the shed roof can transfer these loads to the bearing points using trusses, a combination of beams and purlins, or simple roof rafters spanning from eave to eave.

Each variation offers more or less interior detail. A series of regularly spaced rafters (spaced roughly 24 inches apart on center) across the ceiling here displays the structural logic and lends a richly textured cap to the room. It’s also great for a room’s acoustics.

Here the architect has hidden the structural framing to create a clean, minimalistic aesthetic that helps to maximize the amount of reflected light.

Choosing whether to express the structure inside has an impact on the insulation too. In this example the depth of the framing members can be filled with insulation, and it’s concealed by the ceiling finish. Exposed framing requires the insulation to be placed above the plane of the interior ceiling, resulting in a thicker roof build-up.

Site Responsive

When architects talk about a building being site responsive, we mean that its shape and layout are informed by the particulars of a given place. Depending on the site, that can mean many different things. A sloping topography, distant views, a significant boulder or tree, the climate and solar exposure are all things to which we can respond, and the shed roof offers unique opportunities for each.

Topography. Mirroring the surrounding topography with the roof form, as this project does, reduces the scale and visual impact of a home on the site. It fits an overall idea about fitting a home to a place.

Using the roof form to oppose the slope distinguishes the building form and opens up different spatial opportunities. Here it’s used to insert two full floor levels on the downhill side.

Passive solar. The shed shape is an efficient means of addressing a given latitude’s solar concerns. In northern climates, positioning the low eave of the shed toward the north minimizes the building’s surface area and heat loss on a cold exposure. The tall wall — the shed’s peak — would face south to collect the sun and passively heat the space.

In hot climates the shed can be oriented to minimize heat gain from southern and western exposures while still permitting plenty of indirect daylight.

With large amounts of south-facing glass, special care must be taken to prevent overheating. This is true for all climates, as these windows can introduce great quantities of heat into a home year-round.

Adding louvered slats to the exterior, as in this project, can thoughtfully modulate the heat gain. The slats here are designed for a specific latitude to cut off the high angle of the summer sun and admit the low angle of the winter sun.

Using an interior light shelf with a shed roof is an excellent means of controlling both daylight and heat gain. The shelf helps to diminish the scale of the tall exterior wall and provides a comfortable frame of reference near eye level inside.

Overhangs are another passive design element that can help keep the heat from reaching the interior. They can be sized to shield direct heat gain during the hottest parts of the day while allowing light in and views out. This large overhang with expressed framing is a thoroughly modern, honest and functional aesthetic.

Daylighting (clerestories). With its raised peak, the clerestory window band is one of the most common types of glazing used with shed roofs. They make passive solar heating and daylighting strategies possible.

With floor-to-ceiling glass, the roof appears to hover and the entire room seems to be a part of the outdoors. The more daylight we can capture, the less we have to rely on artificial lighting sources.

Weather protection. While we can design any roof to adequately keep out the weather, the shed has a few benefits that other shapes don’t. The wedge shape has a clear front and back side that can be used to buffer prevailing wind patterns, and to direct water and snow away from walkways, entry points and gathering places. In this way the roof form delivers on its name, shedding the undesirable elements from the places we use most often.

The depth of the roof overhang affects just how much weather the nearby interior spaces are subject to as well. Deep overhangs can help mitigate the risk of water infiltration, especially at the more vulnerable large glazed areas we see in many of these examples.

Rainwater harvesting. While the roof protects, it can also provide. It can efficiently gather rainwater and direct it to a single point of collection to be used for irrigation, or can simply channel it away from the building’s foundation.

Directional (views). The form of the roof as viewed from inside naturally directs our eyes up and outward. Here the roof is used as a dynamic directional element, focusing us toward a spectacular view. Contrast this with gabled and flat roofs, which are inherently more static and inward looking.

This directional effect can be leveraged to refocus interior spaces away from less desirable views (or neighbors) and toward more optimal ones.

Roof Slope
The slope of the shed roof has important design impacts. For any given horizontal room dimension, there’s a delicate balance between the shorter structural members required for a lower slope and the longer structure required for a steeper slope. Longer spans require deeper framing members, heavier sections or both. When the roof plane becomes thick, it can feel too heavy and hat-like. This project maintains a lean section befitting the proportions of the thin architectural elements used elsewhere.

The roof slope affects the headroom at the high and low eaves inside, as well as how grand the space will feel.

It’s good practice to consider the slope alongside the building’s latitude to achieve the optimal solar exposure, as discussed earlier. Steeper pitches are better in higher latitudes; lower pitches in lower altitudes.

Steep sheds require careful planning inside to maintain headroom clearances at the eaves. In snow country very steep pitches will shed snow even if they’re shingled. Remember to take this into account and use the shape to do the shoveling for you.

With this shed, attic space has been traded for living space, opening up some opportunities, like the loft seen here.

Materials
The roof slope has a direct effect on the materials a shed roof can be covered with. Any slope less than 2 inches in 12 inches is considered flat and must be waterproofed as such. Slopes between 2:12 and 4:12 are generally considered low slope, while those between 4:12 and 12:12 are considered conventionally sloped. Each roof material has its own limitation with respect to roof slope, beyond which it’s either not advisable to use, or special procedures must be followed to install that material. Having said this, with the right budget, (almost) anything is possible.

Modern and Traditional

The formal ambiguity of the shed roof can be a real benefit to those who prefer the look of a more modern aesthetic but aren’t willing to fully embrace the idea of the flat roof. The shed form has both a traditional identity and a contemporary feel, which is why it’s such a widely embraced and versatile design element.

Eric Reinholdt

Houzz Contributor, Residential Architect, Founder 30X40 Design Workshop

How to Know if a Career in Architecture is Right for You

Architecture is no exception to the career rules and isn’t a field that can be entered into lightly without understanding the work and cost that goes into such a profession. Image Source: Moore Architects

Your current career path may be a mistake, here’s why:  It takes time to know what you love, and even more time to know what you’re willing to love for the next 30 to 40 years. A career is a commitment—and we usually commit to the wrong thing, realizing when it seems too late to take a u-turn. But maybe it’s not too late…

No matter what you set out to do in the world, choosing a career path should be an exercise in contemplating what’s happening in your life today, and where you hope to be in the near and distant future. While this can be a little intimidating, it’s an essential factor when it comes to choosing a career that is going to not only last, but flourish over time.

Architecture is no exception to the career rules and isn’t a field that can be entered into lightly without understanding the work and cost that goes into such a profession.  A field built on equal parts brainpower, creativity and dedication, architecture requires those who are in it for the long haul. While it can be fun to imagine building spectacular towers and dazzling bridges, architects don’t begin designing the worlds’ tallest and greatest structures from day one.

But if you have the heart, mind and passion to take on a highly competitive and creative field—you might just want to consider an architecture career.  Read here to discover if a career in architecture is right for you:

If you have the heart, mind and passion to take on a highly competitive and creative field—you might just want to consider an architecture career. Image Source: Houlihan Lawrence

What Sort of Architect Shall You Be?

When it comes to architecture, there is not just one field of study.  Rather, a career in architecture offers a suite of multidisciplinary options to choose from. For instance, do you prefer to work outdoors? Do you love nature and designing natural areas? Then perhaps the field of landscape architecture is fitting for you.

Some of the other architectural career disciplines include, but are not limited to, building, software and naval design— It truly depends on where your passion and skills lie.  Here is the tricky part—architects must have a massive skill-set; one that requires equal parts creative and mathematical skills. This is a tough combination that not many of us have.

We suggest that you research into all the possible avenues that an architectural career can take before deciding upon the perfect fit for you. Look into the skills that are required for each type of architect and compare them to your strengths/weaknesses.

However, we do warn you that if you don’t have the strong combination of creativity and mathematics that is required, then you may have a tough time breaking into this field of study. But those who succeed try, try again, right?

Research into all the possible avenues that an architectural career can take before deciding upon the perfect fit for you. Image Source: Baran Studio

 Willingness to Invest in the Education

Much like any other highly professional field, architecture is a field of experts requiring significant education and experience. Before pen is ever laid to paper in the hopes of designing the next big building, the education behind the profession must be understood and completed.

Colleges and universities offering a bachelor’s degree in architecture are going to be your best bet when it comes to achieving the right education in this field. However, the job really starts at getting accepted into these programs. An architecture program most often requires a student to prove that throughout high school, they have excelled in mathematical studies and maybe even had some hands on experience doing a relevant internship or job shadow.

Once you’ve obtained a bachelor’s degree in architecture, the majority of architects take their education a step further and go for a master’s in the field as a way to create a competitive edge in the market. As the face of cities and architecture in general changes, an architect that wants to lead the way and succeed must be willing to continue their education throughout the span of their career.

Finally, it’s important to understand that architects must be licensed in their profession in order to practice. This means completing a set number of internship or apprenticeship hours and completing exams to prove you know your stuff.

Much like any other highly professional field, architecture is a field of experts requiring significant education and experience. Image Source: Site Specific Designs

Having a Design Vision—Thinking Ahead of the Pack

Once upon a time, architecture was a field people entered into as a way to create huge, grandiose buildings and structures that left a legacy. Today, the face of architecture is changing significantly as urban spaces continue to sprawl and concrete jungles close in around transportation systems and open spaces.

For aspiring architects, this new reality means greater competition post-education. Coming into the field of architecture isn’t a guaranteed success as space diminishes, and competition around open and potential projects intensifies. This isn’t to say that architects have little chance of succeeding, it only means that those wanting to go into the field today need to have a vision and passion for their work that can surpass heavy competition or wavering economies.

Those who become the best architects are those that can push through adversity with strength, and face competition with sheer determination.

It’s best if you know what you want from the start. For example, if you’ve set out to design functional urban spaces, keep that goal ahead of you and make educational plans that promote that goal specifically. If you are someone who wants to work toward sustainable building, make that your competitive edge right from the beginning.

Coming into the field of architecture isn’t a guaranteed success as space diminishes, and competition increases. Image Source: Jauregui Architect

Willingness to Learn and Network

With an increasingly competitive work market for architects comes the need and willingness to network. Becoming an architect is an exercise in continuous education and advancement through personal contacts.

The education of architecture doesn’t stop with a diploma. In fact, many architecture firms and companies will insist on employees taking part in continuing education courses to keep up with new techniques and design strategies. Getting special accreditations such as LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) puts you ahead of the pack. To sum it up—those who love to learn make fantastic architects because their desire for knowledge fine-tunes their craft in the field.

Similarly, those with a knack for everything social will find themselves succeeding in the world of architecture. Networking is an integral part of the business as working relationships inevitably open doors to potential projects down the line. Networking is also a great way to get in touch with prospective clients, especially if you’re setting out to do more independent work.

In addition, many architects are paired up with a mentor, whom they not only learn from initially, but collaborate with professionally throughout their career. Having a go-to person is essential in a business that thrives on cooperation. The idea of a mentor/mentee relationship in the field of architecture is extremely common, and works well for those who are geared towards teamwork.

Becoming an architect is an exercise in continuous education and advancement through personal contacts. Image Source: Dalgleish

Being OK With the Small Projects Too

While it’s important to keep those visions of grandiose structures alive and well in your architectural spirit, the best architects are those who have the flexibility and willingness to learn from the small projects too. This is important because in the beginning of your career, there’s a good chance this will be your only reality.

Starting small and working one’s way up is the best way to guarantee you’ll be ready for the extraordinary project when it finally comes your way. These smaller projects are also a great way to get to know your peers in the field, and give you time to ask questions along the way.

On a similar smaller scale, it’s important to note that not every day as an architect will be a hard-hat wearing occasion. In fact, the majority of an architect’s time is spent designing in front of a computer. There is a need for an architect to be able to balance the physical labor of the job to the mental labor, because both are equally important in this field.

Starting small and working one’s way up is the best way to guarantee you’ll be ready for the extraordinary project when it finally comes your way. Image Source: Field Crest Builders

Patience is a virtue in life as it is with architecture. Before you decide to enter the field, be sure to sit back and ask yourself what your true patience level is. If you’re willing to take the time it requires to really perfect your craft and learn from the greats that are out there, then a career in architecture may be right for you.

Before you decide indefinitely on architecture, sit down and actually talk with an architect. Ask the questions you need to in order to understand if this professional field is the best fit for you.

Do you dream of becoming an architect?

Reference:

http://freshome.com/2015/01/26/how-to-know-if-a-career-in-architecture-is-right-for-you/

 

Thinking "Sustainably"

 

Building construction and operations can have extensive direct and indirect impacts on the environment, society, and economy, which are commonly referred to as the 3 P's ('People', 'Planet', 'Pocketbook').

The field of sustainable design seeks to balance the needs of these areas by using an integrated approach to create win-win-win design solutions.

The main objectives of thinking sustainably are to reduce, or completely avoid, depletion of critical resources like energy, water, and raw materials; prevent environmental degradation caused by facilities and infrastructure throughout their life cycle; and create built environments that are livable, comfortable, safe, and productive.

Buildings use resources (energy, water, raw materials, and etc.), generate waste (occupant, construction and demolition), and emit potentially harmful atmospheric emissions. Building owners, designers, and builders face a unique challenge to meet demands for new and renovated facilities that are accessible, secure, healthy, and productive while minimizing their impact on society, the environment, and the economy. Ideally, building designs should result in net positive benefits to all three areas.

In addition to including sustainable design concepts in new construction, sustainable design advocates commonly encourage retrofitting existing buildings rather than building anew. Retrofitting an existing building can often be more cost-effective than building a new facility. Designing major renovations and retrofits for existing buildings to include sustainable design attributes reduces operation costs and environmental impacts, and can increase building resiliency. The embodied energy of the existing building, a term expressing the cost of resources in both human labor and materials consumed during the building's construction and use, are squandered when the building is allowed to decay or be demolished. (http://www.wbdg.org/design/sustainable.php)

While the definition of sustainable building design is constantly changing, six fundamental principles persist.We'll look further at these axioms in our next post. Stay tuned...