This 8.3 star energy rated home is a beacon when it comes to paired back, simple and functional elegance. With great attention to detail in the design phase as well as carefully considered selections in materials, openings and layout this home performs like a Ferrari. The in-slab hydronic system that is run off a sizeable PV system assists with minimising temperature fluctuations. This home is entered into 2023 Design Matters Award as well as a winner of the 2023 HIA Greensmart Awards. Karli Rise is featured in Sanctuary Magazine in 2023.

Woodland House

McLean Quinlan

Hidden within a clearing in a Grade II listed arboretum in Hampshire, this highly efficient new-build family home was designed to fully embrace its wooded location. Surrounded by woods, the site provided both the potential for a unique perspective and also a challenge, due to the trees limiting the amount of natural daylight. To overcome this, we placed the guest bedrooms and ancillary spaces on the ground floor and elevated the primary living areas to the lighter first and second floors. The entrance to the house is via a courtyard to the north of the property. Stepping inside, into an airy entrance hall, an open oak staircase rises up through the house. Immediately beyond the full height glazing across the hallway, a newly planted acer stands where the two wings of the house part, drawing the gaze through to the gardens beyond. Throughout the home, a calming muted colour palette, crafted oak joinery and the gentle play of dappled light through the trees, creates a tranquil and inviting atmosphere. Upstairs, the landing connects to a formal living room on one side and a spacious kitchen, dining and living area on the other. Expansive glazing opens on to wide outdoor terraces that span the width of the building, flooding the space with daylight and offering a multi-sensory experience of the woodland canopy. Porcelain tiles both inside and outside create a seamless continuity between the two. At the top of the house, a timber pavilion subtly encloses the principal suite and study spaces. The mood here is quieter, with rooflights bathing the space in light and large picture windows provide breathtaking views over the treetops. The living area on the first floor and the master suite on the upper floor function as a single entity, to ensure the house feels inviting, even when the guest bedrooms are unoccupied. Outside, and opposite the main entrance, the house is complemented by a single storey garage and yoga studio, creating a formal entrance courtyard to the property. Timber decking and raised beds sit to the north of the studio and garage. The buildings are predominantly constructed from timber, with offsite fabrication and precise on-site assembly. Highly insulated, the choice of materials prioritises the reduction of VOCs, with wood shaving insulation and an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) to minimise both operational and embodied carbon emissions.

Scandinavian Sophistication

City Homes, LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian two-storey beige house exterior in Minneapolis with mixed siding, a butterfly roof, a shingle roof and a grey roof.

Boise Foothills

Gravitas

A Modern Contemporary Home in the Boise Foothills. Anchored to the hillside with a strong datum line. This home sites on the axis of the winter solstice and also features a bisection of the site by the alignment of Capitol Boulevard through a keyhole sculpture across the drive.

HILLSIDE

Domiteaux Garza Architecture

Large contemporary three-storey brick grey house exterior in Dallas with a butterfly roof, a metal roof and a grey roof.

Holly Hill House

Robert M. Cain, Architect

Holly Hill, a retirement home, whose owner's hobbies are gardening and restoration of classic cars, is nestled into the site contours to maximize views of the lake and minimize impact on the site. Holly Hill is comprised of three wings joined by bridges: A wing facing a master garden to the east, another wing with workshop and a central activity, living, dining wing. Similar to a radiator the design increases the amount of exterior wall maximizing opportunities for natural ventilation during temperate months. Other passive solar design features will include extensive eaves, sheltering porches and high-albedo roofs, as strategies for considerably reducing solar heat gain. Daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior to code insulation ensure minimal space conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All light fixtures are LEDs. Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to project into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy without damaging root systems. Guest arrive by vehicle with glimpses of the house and grounds through penetrations in the concrete wall enclosing the garden. One parked they are led through a garden composed of pavers, a fountain, benches, sculpture and plants. Views of the lake can be seen through and below the bridges. Primary client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, maximization of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

Modern Twist on Traditional Ranch

Duke Homes, Inc.

Form and function meld in this smaller footprint ranch home perfect for empty nesters or young families.
Small modern one-storey brown house exterior in Indianapolis with mixed siding, a butterfly roof, a mixed roof, a brown roof and board and batten siding.

Modern Farmhouse Spec Home

Todd Creative Design

Large contemporary three-storey white house exterior in Other with concrete fiberboard siding, a butterfly roof, a mixed roof, a grey roof and clapboard siding.

La Pedrera Net Zero Residence

Bellingham Bay Builders

Architect: Domain Design Architects Photography: Joe Belcovson Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Seattle with mixed siding, a butterfly roof and a metal roof.

Pearl River - Mid-century modern renovation

ROAM Architecture

Updating a modern classic These clients adore their home’s location, nestled within a 2-1/2 acre site largely wooded and abutting a creek and nature preserve. They contacted us with the intent of repairing some exterior and interior issues that were causing deterioration, and needed some assistance with the design and selection of new exterior materials which were in need of replacement. Our new proposed exterior includes new natural wood siding, a stone base, and corrugated metal. New entry doors and new cable rails completed this exterior renovation. Additionally, we assisted these clients resurrect an existing pool cabana structure and detached 2-car garage which had fallen into disrepair. The garage / cabana building was renovated in the same aesthetic as the main house.

BEGUR

Toolstudio by Gianni Ruggiero

Fachada lateral.
Contemporary purple house exterior in Barcelona with a butterfly roof and a grey roof.

Dogtrot exterior

Drawing Dept

This is an example of a modern two-storey brick black house exterior in Cincinnati with a butterfly roof.

Custom Green Home

Premiere Contracting Inc.

Contemporary two-storey blue house exterior in Other with a butterfly roof, mixed siding, a shingle roof, a grey roof and clapboard siding.

Modern Rural Home

Balance Point Construction

An industrial modern home with large, floor to ceiling windows, shed roofs, steel siding and accents.
Photo of a mid-sized industrial three-storey grey house exterior in Denver with mixed siding and a butterfly roof.

7 Town Line

Applet3d

This white house with a swimming pool would be perfect for families. This house is situated outside the noisy city and surrounded by green trees and nature. ⠀

Evergreen House

Juniper Design + Build

Triple-glazed corner windows open the inside to the outside; custom wood awnings reduce glare. Firewood storage is easily accessed from the back deck, which features custom wood framing for the shade sail.

Mid Century Modern Addition & Exterior

Neil Kelly Company

The Portland Heights home of Neil Kelly Company CFO, Dan Watson (and family), gets a modern redesign led by Neil Kelly Portland Design Consultant Michelle Rolens, who has been with the company for nearly 30 years. The project includes an addition, architectural redesign, new siding, windows, paint, and outdoor living spaces.

Awbrey Butte Mountain Modern

Pacwest Builders LLC

This is an example of a large midcentury two-storey house exterior in Other with a butterfly roof, a metal roof and clapboard siding.

Soaring Plains

Kelly Ann Photography

Gorgeous modern single family home with magnificent views.
Mid-sized contemporary two-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Cincinnati with mixed siding, a butterfly roof and board and batten siding.

The Crusader - Rear Exterior

Drewett Works

A full expanse of patios integrates with indoor living spaces via pocketing sliding doors. Views remain unobstructed from every corner of the house yet the siting of the house provides the owners with privacy. A negative edge pool seemingly floats beneath the home's wing. Estancia Club Builder: Peak Ventures Interior Design: Ownby Design Landscape: High Desert Designs Photography: Jeff Zaruba

House Exterior Design Ideas with a Butterfly Roof

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.