Single-Sloped Roofs Ramp Up Modern Homes
Mirroring a steep site or used for architectural interest, sloped roofs create a connection with the landscape
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City.... More »
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Previously I've looked at how a variety of roof forms relate to tradition (gable-style roofs), interior spaces (sawtooth roofs) and form (dramatic roofs). One relationship I've yet to cover is how roofs can relate to their site, particularly to landscapes with changes in topography. One common type of roof I've discovered with steep sites is shed roofs, sometimes called single-slope roofs. This ideabook looks at a handful of houses with shed roofs to see how they work with their sites.
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| This project, designed by Johnston Architects, is two buildings in a wooded site outside Seattle. Much of the complex was built from blown-down trees, also providing a clearing for the buildings to receive sunlight in the dense environs. The main building, in the foreground, is partially bermed into the slope, opening up to the sunlight and shedding water and snow to the rear. |
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| The other building, which sits at a higher elevation, has a similar shed roof, even though it is not bermed into the ground. Again, the tall space is oriented to the sun, though it is shifted relative to the main building so as to capture views past it. |
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This view from inside the main building reveals how the house opens up toward the clearing. Outside, the roof structure is all wood, but inside it consists of open joists made from steel and wood. These allow a longer span and give the open interior some character.
| Not too far from the previous project is this house designed by Thielsen Architects. From this vantage point, we can see that the land slopes away from us, just as the roof does. "The house forms mirror the natural slope of the site," the architects describe, grounding the house and making it appear as a natural connection between the steep slopes above and below it." |
| Moving a little bit forward from the previous photo (the ribbon windows on the left are the same in both photos), we now see the lower level and the house's entry adjacent to the driveway. As the roof's angle follows the drop, the stone base steps down, acting as a planter. |
| Moving back up the slope and toward the other side of the house, we can see how well the house works with the landscape. Upper and lower outdoor zones are created, with the house's interior acting as the connection. |
| The more private side of the house has a patio adjacent to the lower level. The vertical element wrapped in the same metal as the rest of the house (different than the vertical element covered in stone near the driveway — the chimney) houses an elevator. It sits next to the stairs, which also face the patio. |
| One space that includes a roofline running in the opposite direction as the major volume is the master bedroom, visible on the far left in the previous photo. The space opens up toward the trees and view, with an elevation that is articulated with large windows, a sunshade and a clerestory window above. |
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| Yet another Pacific Northwest project (showing that shed roofs have a regional influence) is this two-house development in Seattle designed by David Neiman Architects. The shed roof of each building slopes away from the landscape, such that they are opened to views and sunlight. |
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| Due to the slope, the houses are designed with retaining walls at the lower floors. Combined with the slope of the roof, this points to positioning service spaces (bathrooms, storage, stairs etc.) to the rear, opening up the front of the house for other spaces. |
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| Here we can see one of those service spaces tucked in the rear of the house. Its location on the side wall still gives the bathroom some light and air, and a view of the other house in the development. |
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| In front of a different bathroom is the bedroom, opened to the sky, like other spaces on the front of the houses. |
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| Heading west to Minnesota, here is a house designed by Altus Architecture + Design that looks fairly orthogonal from the front, minus the yellow volume's sloping roof. |
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| Moving around the house toward the rear, we can see how the land slopes away from front to back. The angle of the roof roughly follows this slope. |
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| While the roof does follow the angle of the topography, I feel like the roof's incline is a formal maneuver, allowing the building to appear taller from the front and shorter from the back. Here we can see the bedroom under that roof. The slope is barely perceptible, but the bottom of the clerestory does set up a line for the top of the walls (a closet?) within the bedroom. |
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| This last example is a contemporary design by Field Architecture in San Francisco, the aptly named Hillside House. Here is another project where the roof follows the slope of the land. Yet the key to the design is the wood deck that starts at this lowest level and extends up into the house. |
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| Here is a better view of the deck, which is tucked under the opening and extends inside and up the stairs. |
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| The flooring extends to the upper floor. In this photo we can see how the kitchen has side panoramic views of the trees and sky, thanks to the way the roof slopes down and away. |
Comments
Sandra Love the shed roof designs-the opportunity for light and vista is very desirable.
6 months ago · Like
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LOCZIdesign This style is easily one of our favorites. It's aesthetically pleasing, and no doubt most suitable for solar panel instillations!
6 months ago · Like
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JWT Architecture An interesting study on the use of a single shed roof. Here is another example accross the border in BC. In this case the use of a single shed was 3 fold- to follow the topography of the landscape, to make best use of the light, and reduce costs. 
6 months ago · Like
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CAROLE MEYER Very cool houses.
6 months ago · Like
Hugh Wolfe I like the clean modern lines of the shed roof however I have a concern with the David Neiman design. I'm not a prude, however with no window coverings for both a bedroom and adjoining bath the owners must be very careful as far as when and where they walk about... most men would not be using the tub, however women will and the neighboring homes appear to be well positioned for lots of live entertainment unless you simply do not use interior lighting. At least the previous design by Thielsen has the bedroom in a wooded setting without neighbors close by. I have lived in a home sited such as this and had no worries as far as when I could walk from bed to bath.
6 months ago · Like
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Sandra Privacy is easily achieved with window coverings or use of the type of window that will become opaque with the flick of a switch. The need for privacy is very personal.
6 months ago · Like
Hugh Wolfe @twinkle 24 My point was that the home appears to NOT have any window coverings for privacy. I realize you can purchase window coverings, relatively economically... but ruining the intended design of the wide open expanses of glass in the process. The electric opaque window glass you spoke of is an extremely expensive option. A sample of this material is $250 for one the size of a sheet of paper... I can only imagine what a full sized window would cost, http://www.ssidisplays.com/Electric-Glass-Sample. A more thoughtfully designed home, considering the closeness of the neighboring homes would have been much more economical. To me this is not a well designed home, considering it's location and surroundings.
6 months ago · Like
j0dy Don't they worry about neighbors looking in? They don't have any kind of window coverings. It looks nice but at night that would bug me. I like the openess of the home though.
6 months ago · Like
fredericklc I am not a fan of modern construction, but I kind of dig the Hillside House.
6 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Nov. 13, 2012.
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