13 Roofs That Rule the Roost
An assortment of roofs that integrate form and function with interesting results
The roof of a home is more than just a description of its shape, be it a gable, hipped, skillion or a flat roof. As I discovered when further analysing why architects like experimenting with different roof forms, a roof is like a hat we wear. A hat is a shaped covering and brim for the head, worn for warmth, protection and, for a great part, as a fashion statement. Like a hat, a roof on the top of a building serves to protect against rain, snow, sunlight, wind and extreme temperatures – and also likes to make a fashion statement. Like all great architecture, the following designers have integrated form and function to create interesting buildings … and interesting hats.
2. The roof that’s a sculpture
There are times when you simply want to make a fashion statement, like this house in the California. The roof form provides peaks and valleys in an interesting, geometric and sculptural shape. Areas of importance underneath are highlighted by the peak in the roof that soars towards the sky revealing the underside, while not so important spaces have the roof converging towards the ground. The designers realised that a great deal of this roof was to be seen, so importance was also placed in the way the ribbing of the roof sheets were laid to further emphasise the triangular pattern.
There are times when you simply want to make a fashion statement, like this house in the California. The roof form provides peaks and valleys in an interesting, geometric and sculptural shape. Areas of importance underneath are highlighted by the peak in the roof that soars towards the sky revealing the underside, while not so important spaces have the roof converging towards the ground. The designers realised that a great deal of this roof was to be seen, so importance was also placed in the way the ribbing of the roof sheets were laid to further emphasise the triangular pattern.
3. The flood-preventing roof
This converted cowshed in Sydney’s Glebe sits under a big jacaranda tree whose leaves and blooms blocked the valley gutters and flooded the existing house when it rained. To solve this, the design team pulled a long, steep roof plane over the second storey bedroom and tucked it down at the rear of the site. This move was designed to prevent organic matter from accumulating and to give the building the distinctive profile you see here. It’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is practical – hence the commendation award in 2013 from COLORBOND® steel for its innovative use of steel in architecture. “The old cowshed in Glebe provided a rare opportunity to preserve some of the character and charm of this eclectic neighbourhood,” says Shaun Carter, principal architect at Carterwilliamson.
This converted cowshed in Sydney’s Glebe sits under a big jacaranda tree whose leaves and blooms blocked the valley gutters and flooded the existing house when it rained. To solve this, the design team pulled a long, steep roof plane over the second storey bedroom and tucked it down at the rear of the site. This move was designed to prevent organic matter from accumulating and to give the building the distinctive profile you see here. It’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is practical – hence the commendation award in 2013 from COLORBOND® steel for its innovative use of steel in architecture. “The old cowshed in Glebe provided a rare opportunity to preserve some of the character and charm of this eclectic neighbourhood,” says Shaun Carter, principal architect at Carterwilliamson.
4. The roof that encases …
Upon arriving at this home in Hobart, Tasmania, by Room 11, you could be forgiven for believing that you are arriving at some sort of barn structure with a central entry door. Everything seems boarded up. However, it is more than that, as the sole window tantalisingly reveals. Here, the roof form in its simplistic design, like a child’s two dimensional representation of a house, encases the contents of the building, extending its shape down the sides of the home like two arms. The roof not only provides cover to the top of the building, but also to the sides.
Upon arriving at this home in Hobart, Tasmania, by Room 11, you could be forgiven for believing that you are arriving at some sort of barn structure with a central entry door. Everything seems boarded up. However, it is more than that, as the sole window tantalisingly reveals. Here, the roof form in its simplistic design, like a child’s two dimensional representation of a house, encases the contents of the building, extending its shape down the sides of the home like two arms. The roof not only provides cover to the top of the building, but also to the sides.
5. … and reveals
On the other side of this Hobart house, the roof now chooses to reveal like open arms. A wall of glazing fills the contents of the wrap-around roof form to reveal the views beyond. The two contrasting ways the identical roof form is used heightens the experience for the visitor when first arriving at this home, termed the ‘Lookout House’ by its designers.
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On the other side of this Hobart house, the roof now chooses to reveal like open arms. A wall of glazing fills the contents of the wrap-around roof form to reveal the views beyond. The two contrasting ways the identical roof form is used heightens the experience for the visitor when first arriving at this home, termed the ‘Lookout House’ by its designers.
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6. The roof that adds pomp
This Queen Anne home stands proud and tall with ornate features that dominate the architecture. This style of building therefore allows the use of a variety of roof forms to reinforce the architecture below. Pomp and ceremony are important and each roof form has its place, like a crown displaying its jewels. For example, here the turret is further highlighted by the conical shape of its roof, while the gables emphasise the treatment of the facade.
This Queen Anne home stands proud and tall with ornate features that dominate the architecture. This style of building therefore allows the use of a variety of roof forms to reinforce the architecture below. Pomp and ceremony are important and each roof form has its place, like a crown displaying its jewels. For example, here the turret is further highlighted by the conical shape of its roof, while the gables emphasise the treatment of the facade.
7. The functional roof
Not all roof forms are about aesthetics. Function is the primary design consideration in this cabin design by FINNE Architects, where the importance of snow build up to adequately disperse off the home is an integral part of the steep, sloping roof.
Not all roof forms are about aesthetics. Function is the primary design consideration in this cabin design by FINNE Architects, where the importance of snow build up to adequately disperse off the home is an integral part of the steep, sloping roof.
8. The roof for symmetry and balance
This house design by Stuart Silk Architects seeks to capture a sense of symmetry and balance via the sculptural forms of the home’s planning. Here, the roof is understated and follows the simple geometric shapes below. They are contained within the gabled ends with no eaves protruding. The roof forms play second fiddle and merely exists to reinforce the architecture.
This house design by Stuart Silk Architects seeks to capture a sense of symmetry and balance via the sculptural forms of the home’s planning. Here, the roof is understated and follows the simple geometric shapes below. They are contained within the gabled ends with no eaves protruding. The roof forms play second fiddle and merely exists to reinforce the architecture.
9. The hidden roof
In this beautifully designed home by Vibe Design Group, the roof has no place in the architectural language. It is merely there to cover the top of the building and to protect the home from the elements. It is hidden from view, and discarded. Its appearance would be a hindrance to the overall design concept and would distract and erode the carefully considered box-shaped design of the building.
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In this beautifully designed home by Vibe Design Group, the roof has no place in the architectural language. It is merely there to cover the top of the building and to protect the home from the elements. It is hidden from view, and discarded. Its appearance would be a hindrance to the overall design concept and would distract and erode the carefully considered box-shaped design of the building.
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10. The roof that adds contrast
Always a dilemma when integrating a new extension with an existing home, ArchiBlox, a design and build firm in Melbourne, chose to create a contrasting contemporary form to complement the existing Victorian semi-detached home. To further emphasise the contrast in architectural styles, the extension has a flat roof as opposed to a hipped roof, like that of the existing house.
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Always a dilemma when integrating a new extension with an existing home, ArchiBlox, a design and build firm in Melbourne, chose to create a contrasting contemporary form to complement the existing Victorian semi-detached home. To further emphasise the contrast in architectural styles, the extension has a flat roof as opposed to a hipped roof, like that of the existing house.
Take a tour of this house
11. The roof for a location
Location often plays a key role in the design of a home’s roof. Sandberg Schoffel Architects designed the form of this butterfly roof in a remote location to not only collect water via a central boxed gutter, but also to limit unnecessary gutters where leaves can collect and become an issue in this fire-sensitive bush setting.
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Location often plays a key role in the design of a home’s roof. Sandberg Schoffel Architects designed the form of this butterfly roof in a remote location to not only collect water via a central boxed gutter, but also to limit unnecessary gutters where leaves can collect and become an issue in this fire-sensitive bush setting.
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12. The roof that follows the rules
The shape of a home and its roof when in close proximity to a neighbouring boundary can sometimes dictate its shape. Regulatory controls may be such that the walls and the roof must be a certain height and setback from the boundary. This often leads the designer to create a form that not only follows these regulatory setbacks, but creates opportunities for the form to capture sunlight and sky views.
The shape of a home and its roof when in close proximity to a neighbouring boundary can sometimes dictate its shape. Regulatory controls may be such that the walls and the roof must be a certain height and setback from the boundary. This often leads the designer to create a form that not only follows these regulatory setbacks, but creates opportunities for the form to capture sunlight and sky views.
13. The roof for conversation
Sometimes, what is a roof and what is a wall, and for that matter, what is a room are blurred. I just love a conversation piece. You just know that anyone visiting this house by Dig Design would probably spend a great deal of time on arrival talking to their host about this unusual rear addition. Where does the floor start and finish? Are the walls and ceiling made from the same material? What about the roof –how does the water drain?
The overall design is such that it becomes a conversation topic. You can’t imagine pitching a roof on this amazing outdoor room.
Take a closer look at this house
YOUR SAY
Do you have a home that has an amazing roof? Upload a photo and share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
The Shed Roof: Why It Works
Understanding Flat Roof Construction
5 Types of Sloping Roofs That Hit the Right Pitch
Sometimes, what is a roof and what is a wall, and for that matter, what is a room are blurred. I just love a conversation piece. You just know that anyone visiting this house by Dig Design would probably spend a great deal of time on arrival talking to their host about this unusual rear addition. Where does the floor start and finish? Are the walls and ceiling made from the same material? What about the roof –how does the water drain?
The overall design is such that it becomes a conversation topic. You can’t imagine pitching a roof on this amazing outdoor room.
Take a closer look at this house
YOUR SAY
Do you have a home that has an amazing roof? Upload a photo and share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
The Shed Roof: Why It Works
Understanding Flat Roof Construction
5 Types of Sloping Roofs That Hit the Right Pitch
Symbolically, CplusC Architectural Workshop have designed a roof form that best explains the analogy of a roof acting as a hat. With a wide dark brim, this roof sets out to cover and protect the body of the house where individual room shapes are distinct from the roof above and seem to function independently of the hovering form.
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