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Recently there has been a significant increase in homeowner interest in making improvements to the exterior of their homes to create a more contemporary architectural design modifying the iconic Spanish revival, Mediterranean, and Tuscan style homes that are nearing 20+ years old and predominately present in and around Southern California.

Those who live in a community association (AKA HOA) will be required to apply for and go through the review process overseen by volunteer homeowners who make up an architectural committee and often rely on professional architect consultants. The Architectural Control Committee and/or the Board of Directors should understand and support the desire of homeowners to refresh and update the look of their homes. Afterall, maintaining, upgrading and modifying a home to create a more current or contemporary look (if done right) improves the value of the home and the neighborhood. Often a simple exterior paint color change to lighter earth tones such as creams, beiges or “whiteish” paint color will instantly modernize and refresh your home’s look. A proposed exterior paint color change is typically a straightforward review process that involves submitting an application and a paint sample. This will allow the review committee to confirm that the new color appropriately coordinates with existing home features such as window, door, and roof colors. 

In the quest to modernize one’s home, some proposed modifications go beyond a simple paint color change and instead begin to alter design features of the home. More often than not, projects such as this require working with a licensed architect for your home renovation. It is important to keep in mind that removing only some architectural detailing will not necessarily create another style of home. It could potentially create an unsuccessful combination of multiple design styles that does not promote architectural harmony nor protect the value of your home or those in the community.

If you are thinking about modernizing the exterior architectural elements of your home by creating a more modern look, you have got to be ALL IN! To fully convert a home to a new architectural style typically requires consideration of changes to many aspects of the building’s exterior to be consistent with the proposed new style. In other words, you cannot simply remove some elements of the original design and leave others. This does not provide sufficient modification to achieve a more contemporary architectural style nor does it enhance the original style of the home. Below is a helpful list of design elements you and your architect will likely consider changing when creating your home modernization plan.

•  Door and window designs, transitioning from arched openings to an emphasis on horizontal lines and moving from divided light to non-divided light windows and doors, often with floor to ceiling glass panels.
•  Decorative door and window trim and trim-work at top and bottom of support columns may be modified or removed 
• Rafter tails versus simple eave and rake overhangs
• Clay tile roofs (mudded and boosted) being exchanged for flat tile roofs
• Ornamentation (e.g., hammered metal, distressed window shutters, etc) versus more linear niches and clean lines
• Chimney cap changes from decorative to more simplified designs
• Exterior light fixtures that are more streamlined than ornate
• Simplified balcony railings that replace decorative wrought iron railings
• Transition from stone and stucco designs to mixed exterior finishes and textures.

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but certainly highlights the types of design features your architect would consider should you choose to significantly renovate the exterior of your home. I hope this is useful information to get you started on your venture to modernize the architectural design of your home.  

The Architectural Control Committee and/or the Board of Directors of your community should understand and support your desire to refresh and update the look of your home. In doing so, you are not only improving your home’s value, but potentially the value of other homes in the neighborhood.   You will want to obtain specific information for your community association with respect to the specific architectural design guidelines, details on the plan review process, etc.  Contact us today and we can help you through the entire process from initial concept and design to HOA approval and completion.