Replies

1. 
   Lateapex911 | Nov 24, 2003 05:21am | #1

   The picture that pops in my mind when you say that is a 3 box design. Two bays, then one bay bumped out, then two more.  I would run the ridge paralell with the main body, but I would cross it in the center over the bump out. Over each door I'd put a doghouse dormer, and maybe a larger distinctive window over the center door.

   The doors would be the swing out style, with window lights in each. You might get the type that actually roll up in the normal way, but look like they are old style.

   Then I'd work the details..exposed rafters? Maybe, and so on. Shingle style would look great.

   Of course, that's just blue sky thinking, as I have no idea of the house style, or the budget, but I would love to put my old 911 in a Carriage House like that! 

   Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

1. 
   CapnMac | Nov 24, 2003 07:07am | #2

   I like that, for a number of reasons.  I'd be sore tempted to make that middle bay a gable on both ends (and bump the back out to match the front, too).  I'd also at least sketch a cupola to clean up the valleys at the intersections, too.

   One reason I like the bump out is so that it doesn't look like a ministorage lot, with a long unbroken rown of doors (even if they are upscale doors).

   You could make a great case for an engineering-grade timber frame.  But if you are looking to park five vehicles, it may be you want a flashier interior than a plain-old garage.

   Don't forget to allow for some sort of stairs or other access at the ends to that space up top--someone will want to use it, and probably sooner rather than later.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

1. 
   Lateapex911 | Nov 24, 2003 08:11am | #3

   Yup...you read my mind.  I didn't want to rattle on and on, but I would bump out the back as well. Probably significantly enough to house a stairway, and some workspace.

   The upstairs would make great storage, and even a good office over the center. Or, if you're like me, you'll put in a block and tackle at the gable and hoist stuff up to the second floor.  You know, spare engines and the like.

   Don't get me going about garages!

   On one hand I wish someone would ask me to design such a project...on the other, I'd be so jealous!Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

1. 
   CapnMac | Nov 25, 2003 01:56am | #14

   Don't get me going about garages!

   Had a bizzare "vision" of sorts, last night.  Three bigger boxes, end & center, with recessed bays between--all in California mission/arts & crafts style.  Stucco with a decorative parapet with barrel tile behind.  Probably an patio elevante on the sentral box.  Three distinct roof/ceiling heights, too (tall, lower, tallest, lower, tall).

   Not a very "typical" carriage house, except in the Southwest, perhaps.

   And, of course you need more ceiling height--the threads on lifts & hoists in garages prove that.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

2. 
   CombatRescue | Nov 24, 2003 04:27pm | #4

   Try this:

   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=stripbooks&field-keywords=carriage%20house%20construction&search-type=ss&bq=1/104-2582059-5213516

3. 
   BossHog | Nov 24, 2003 04:35pm | #5

   Hey fella - Where ya been ??? Haven't seen ya post here in a long time.

   Funny you should ask this question now. I've also been wondering about carriage houses. DW and I are looking at buying an older house with a carriage house behind it. But the one there is really small and is in bad shape. If we buy the house I'd like to tear it down and build a bigger one in it's place. But I don't really know how to design one either.

   If you end up building one, any chance I could get a look at the design? Or maybe come up and see it after it's done?

   Do you need an Smart House to do home schooling?

4. 
   BossHog | Nov 24, 2003 05:16pm | #6

   After my other post, I decided to poke around a bit and see what popped up. Here's what I came up with:

   http://www.carriagehousedesign.com/

   A few designs:

   http://www.countrycarpenters.com/page4.htm

   http://www.countrycarpenters.com/page5.htm

   .

   Cool doors:

   http://sousasgaragedoors.com/CarriageHouseDoors.html

   http://www.lynndoorproducts.com/reserve.htm

   .

   Carriage houses with living space above

   http://www.acountrycommunity.com/models.htm

   .

   That's all I could find at the moment.

   He who permits himself to tell a lie once finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes habitual; he tells a lie without attending to it, and truths without the world believing it. [President Thomas Jefferson]

5. 
   DPS | Nov 24, 2003 06:07pm | #7

   Not sure how much this will help you but I'll try.  My experience has been with a carraige house renovation in Washington, Il.  They did the whole nine yards, lifted the structure and provided a new foundation and the remodeled the rest.  The structure was turn of the century, three bays with one of the bays on the gable end off the street, and was a tall, one and a half story.  The entrance stairs to the second floor was centered between the remaining two bays and had a two story facade with a palladian window, etc.  I attached a very rough, and quick sketch of the final layout. Please forgive me for the file, first time attaching files.  

   Besides what books or websites you find, and depending on how serious you are, one idea would be to take some of the historical tours that some of the communities have in central IL like Washington, and Peoria for real life examples.  I doubt you will find an example that is the size of your project but they should give you some examples of the styles that exist in the area.    

   Dan

6. 
   csnow | Nov 24, 2003 08:07pm | #8

   I own an actual 19th century carraige house.

   Being something of an 'outbuilding' admirer, I study them wherever I go.

   There are a number of design elements common to what folks think of when you say "Carraige House".  In New England, folks are generally thinking of a 19th century structure, though sometimes they have a colonial revival reinterpretation in mind.

   -Distinct standalone structure away from main house. Generally sited in a position where it would not compete with the main house for prominence. (they wanted the smell, flies, stablehands, and combustible hay away from the living space).  Putting the garage 'front and center' is a post-war thing.

   -Deep structure.  The shallow 'one car length' deep garage was not useful in the horsedrawn era.  You needed room to stack multiple vehicles (sleighs, carraiges, utility wagons), tack, and stable compartments for the horses.  A mostly square structure was common.  Instead of 5 individual doors (awkward proportions), consider fewer larger doors with enough depth to line up cars within, or stack them several deep.

   -Tall doors, swinging or sliding (or the 'look' of such).  Doors generally had lites up top, since electric lighting was not available.

   -High ceiling on parking level.  9 feet minimum.

   -2nd level for hayloft and stablehand apartment.

   -Hayloft door on 2nd level for loading hay.

   In terms of good design, I prefer entance doors on a gable end, since that way water is shed to the sides.

   View Image View Image View Image

1. 
   PhillGiles | Nov 24, 2003 09:13pm | #10

   Humm, ... Toronto ?

   The nicest carriage ouse I can remember seeing was in the south of France on the estate of a new-built (90's) 17th century style chateau. Absolutely beautiful looking reproduction done in EFIS.

   In any case, the carriage house had the classic 3-door gable end with one large door in the centre flanked by two smaller doors. Inside, the two smaller doors were for single-bay stalls while from the larger door the floor was a fat tee with 2 angled bays on either side and room to park 2 cars against the wall straight ahead. There are 4 studio apartments and a common area on the second floor designed for servants.

   In Germany, we saw a smaller carriage house, again a new-built (70's) reproduction done in the style of a mill; water feature and all. The building was turned 45º so you could see two walls - the garage doors were on the back out of site

   Some sites for homework

   http://www.scottporterdesigns.com/start.html (has a good links page to vintage houses and resources)

   http://www.abetterplan.com/garage-building-carriage-houses.html (some good links).

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

1. 
   csnow | Nov 24, 2003 10:05pm | #12

   "Humm, ... Toronto ?"

   The first set of photos are from Brookline MA, which is loaded with high-style victorian architecture.

   http://www.town.brookline.ma.us/Planning/BookSite/carriage_house_to_auto_house.htm

   The Ultimate Garage is in New Jersey.  I was given access to all the construction details,  and this thing is simply beyond belief.  It was designed to be a showplace for the owner's business, which is high-end garage components and garage design services.

2. 
   csnow | Nov 24, 2003 10:12pm | #13

   Hey Phill,

   These 3 from your link are particularly nice.

   http://www.thehousedesigners.com/Garage-Plans.asp?1=1&Page=2&Action=Browse#PlanSearch

   View Image View Image View Image

7. 
   csnow | Nov 24, 2003 08:24pm | #9

   Of course, to make a "statement", this is the "ultimate" non-historic reinterpretation for any motorhead to drool over:

   http://www.ultimategarage.com/

   View Image

8. 
   ANDYSZ2 | Nov 24, 2003 09:39pm | #11

   My favorite style for a detached garage is a large covered entry way with the house on one side and the garage  on the other. This makes for a large courtyard with  the garage doors hidden behind the entry wall. There  is usually a walkway above the entry that connects house to garage.I think is the best way to hide the garage area from the public view while making the whole structure unified with an impressive front elevation.

   ANDYSZ2

   I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.