Q: I’m building in several communities where I face look-alike ordinances. How can I get enough variety in my elevations to meet the ordinance requirements without having to create additional floor plans? A: There are smaller changes one can make to vary elevations to a degree: changing window patterns and adding or subtracting dormers are two ways one can create a slight difference in a façade. However, these smaller changes are exactly that, and an overall view of a streetscape can still feel
To achieve a more significant variation in elevation, it is important to change the massing of the house and to introduce a broad palette of colors and cladding materials. A general adherence to stylistic detailing is also quite important and will usually dictate those qualities.
Below is a standard brick colonial elevation; on the next page are alternate designs based on the same floor plan.
