ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES FOR THE
SOUTHEAST MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
SITING
Build within created clearings to preserve
existing vegetation.
On mountaintops, place structures below the
top of the ridge to avoid structure silhouette.
On plateaus, place structures at the highest
elevation for vistas and breezes.
Place observation structures (such as viewing
platforms and towers) within the tree canopy
and back from edge of ridges.
Place buildings just above the floodplain in
valleys.
Figure of Development limited at the top of the ridges and structure moved off of the high point of the ridge
Figure of a Building site limited to the toe of slope
With the Riparian zone separated by a Landscape buffer
Figure of Observation platform using local and natural materials
Other guidelines for SITING:
Site buildings to shelter wind on three sides
while providing sun exposure on the south side
in coves.
Place larger buildings in the broader valleys.
Break up expanses of parking by terracing lots.
Connect related buildings with decks and
boardwalks.
Clear vegetation around buildings (but limb up
trees rather than removing them) for
ventilation and protection from insects and
snakes.
Place structure parallel to contours of the
landforms.
Figure of Landscape buffer maintained in riparian zones adjacent both a Lake and a River
Figure of Historic development in sheltered coves below ridges.
Figure of Branches trimmed up and undergrowth cleared for ventilation and protection from snakes and insects.
SOUTHEAST
MASSING AND SCALE
Create compounds of several related buildings
rather than one large building to minimize
building footprints.
Break down the scale of large buildings with
multiple forms.
Reduce building mass by stepping down
sloped sites.
Figure of a Traditional building cluster
Figure encouraging clustering of structures
Other guidelines for MASSING AND SCALE
Create buildings that appear to have grown
and evolved through time by combining
different forms, such as shed and gable-style
dormers.
Design rectangular buildings to be sited on
an east-west axis; these respond to solar
conditions and breezes better than square
buildings.
Figure of the relation of building mass to setting:
Small valley relates to smaller mass
Hill-top relates to minimal mass
Large valley relates to larger mass
Figure of Large building broken down in scale to smaller forms and those forms stepping down the slope.
ROOF
Design roofs to be the dominant element
of the building.
Use broad overhangs to create a
sheltering feeling.
Complement the angles of landforms by
sloping the roof.
Design the roof pitches to range from
6:12 to 9:12; porch roofs can have a
flatter pitch than the main roof.
Avoid A-frames, mansard roofs,
or flat roofs.
Figure of Predominant roof forms:
Gable roof and shed porch
Roof characteristics include:
Addition intersecting with main roof
Broad overhangs
Flatter porch
Chimney on end
Figure of Addition with a shed or gable roof that has broad overhangs.
BASE
Design the base so that it appears
strongly connected to the ground.
Build stone bases that seem to grow out
of natural stone outcroppings.
Use solid bases rather than piers or stilts.
Ventilate the base and crawl space with
openings.
Figure of Inappropriate Base up to window sills
Figure of base growing out of a stone outcropping when appropriate.
Figure of building with walls subservient to a strong roof and strong base:
Figure of base taking up grade and providing ventilation
Figure of stone walls of local stone laid in local geological pattern
WALLS AND OPENINGS
Design walls that do not dominate the faηade
but instead create a relatively short plane
between the more dominant base and roof.
Use vertical windows that are either doublehung
or casement.
Install operable, screened windows when possible.
Maximize ventilation with operable windows,
transom windows, and vented roofs and gables.
Use corners that look massive and substantial;
avoid placing windows in building corners.
Integrate skylights within the roof form; avoid
bubble skylights.
Include winter covers for gable openings.
Design porches with high ceilings to allow views
and to let daylight into the building.
Emphasize entries to make them clear and
inviting for visitors.
Avoid sliding doors or jalousies.
Figure of Wall materials include:
Log
Lap siding
Board and batten
Figure of Windows with a vertical proportion.
Figure of a Well-defined main entry
Figure of Window types such as:
Double-hung
Casement
Transom
Figure of building with good ventilation of all spaces:
Vented roof
Gable end vent
High windows/transitions
Figure of other characteristics for WALLS AND OPENINGS:
Porch is an outdoor room
Keep porch ceiling high for views and light
Wood porch with stone pier
Shed porch ceiling:
Mountains: open
Piedmont: closed
Dormer for daylight and venting
Add glass to gable end of building
for daylighting
Figure of Windows infilling between structure
STRUCTURE
Express structure by exposing posts, beams,
and trusses, especially within shelters when
possible.
Use oversized structural elements to convey
strength and permanence.
Figure of Structure that is openly expressed
MATERIALS
Use materials that look substantial and heavy.
Use indigenous, natural, and locally produced
materials.
Suitable wall materials include:
Stone laid to reflect local geological patterns,
and stone in scale with size of local rocks.
Horizontal log.
Board and batten.
Wood-lap siding.
Alternate wall materials include:
Split-face block, if skillfully constructed,
as a substitute for stone.
Concrete, if tinted and highly textured to
blend with textures of natural surroundings.
Cement-fiber siding to match wood.
Avoid:
Patterned plywood.
Suitable roof materials include:
Treated, southern pine shake shingle.
Standing seam metal in medium tones.
Concrete tile, if it resembles a traditional
material.
Heavy-textured asphalt shingles.
Figure of Treated, southern pine shake shingles.
Figure of heavy textured Composition shingles.
Figure of Standing seam metal.
Suitable base materials include:
Stone.
Textured concrete.
Split-face block.
Avoid:
Wood, including railroad ties.
Figure of a Bulletin Board with desirable characteristics:
Expressed structure
Natural materials
Strong connections
Wood shake roof
Heavy timber frame
Figure of a Toilet Building with Predominant materials such as:
Stone base
Standing seam metal roof
Board and batten walls
COLOR
Draw color schemes from the
immediate natural landscape,
especially rocks and trees.
Use mid-tone earth colors
such as brown, gray, and
green.
Stains, when used, should
be solid, penetrating stain
with UV protection.
Use off-white paint color
in the foothills of the
Mountain Province.
Bright colors may be used
as accents if drawn from
nature, such as wildflowers
and lichens.
Use gable ends that are
stained in the mountains
and painted in the foothills.
Figure of Colors taken from the natural landscape:
Grays and browns of trees and rocks
Greens of leaves and needles