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Rooflines

Flat, gabled, butterfly? Get inspired.

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At the base of Echo Mountain in Phoenix, a geometric home by Wendell Burnette opens up to the surrounding desert landscape. Photo by Dean Kaufman.
At the base of Echo Mountain in Phoenix, a geometric home by Wendell Burnette opens up to the surrounding desert landscape. Photo by Dean Kaufman.
The house's triangular shape effectively blocks sight of a large wall that stands nearby. "The form of the plan really follows out of making the best for the garden and the views," Koolhaas says.
The house's triangular shape effectively blocks sight of a large wall that stands nearby. "The form of the plan really follows out of making the best for the garden and the views," Koolhaas says.
The house's "traditional" feel, Koolhaas says, is "only as thick as the layer of wood on the outside." When entering, the eyes travel straight back through the massive windows to the green yard beyond. "It appears as though there is no house behind the facade, like the houses on a movie set," he says.
The house's "traditional" feel, Koolhaas says, is "only as thick as the layer of wood on the outside." When entering, the eyes travel straight back through the massive windows to the green yard beyond. "It appears as though there is no house behind the facade, like the houses on a movie set," he says.
Lean Machine-Architect Jesper Brask waited three years studying the site of his future vacation home before building, ultimately using wood felled in the space where the house was built and perfecting a design that melds indoors and out. Photo by: Karina Tengberg
Lean Machine-Architect Jesper Brask waited three years studying the site of his future vacation home before building, ultimately using wood felled in the space where the house was built and perfecting a design that melds indoors and out. Photo by: Karina Tengberg
Sky-high ceilings are created by a sculptural pitched roof. Its uneven angles are the result of the required setback distances from surrounding roads and houses.
Sky-high ceilings are created by a sculptural pitched roof. Its uneven angles are the result of the required setback distances from surrounding roads and houses.
Healy Guest House (Cocoon House) Designed by Ralph Twitchell and Paul Rudolph, 1950
Healy Guest House (Cocoon House) Designed by Ralph Twitchell and Paul Rudolph, 1950
“In this house, the roof is the only facade—the rest is dissolved beneath it.” —Architect Aljoša Dekleva
“In this house, the roof is the only facade—the rest is dissolved beneath it.” —Architect Aljoša Dekleva
R.B. Murray and Co's office in Springfield, Missouri, is defined by its butterfly roof and a large brick box.
R.B. Murray and Co's office in Springfield, Missouri, is defined by its butterfly roof and a large brick box.
A system of clerestory windows, positioned underneath a cantilevered roof, strategically filters natural light through the interior. A full-height window in the living area provides dramatic views of passing storms.
A system of clerestory windows, positioned underneath a cantilevered roof, strategically filters natural light through the interior. A full-height window in the living area provides dramatic views of passing storms.
Carpenter kicks back on an IKEA outdoor sectional on the sealed-pine roof deck of Lightroom 2.0. A collection of vintage Tulip armchairs by Eero Saarinen surround a “Jetsons-inspired” fireplace from the 1970s found online.
Carpenter kicks back on an IKEA outdoor sectional on the sealed-pine roof deck of Lightroom 2.0. A collection of vintage Tulip armchairs by Eero Saarinen surround a “Jetsons-inspired” fireplace from the 1970s found online.
A defining green feature is the on-site stormwater infiltration system. The architect explains, “To comply with local regulations protecting the creek and beach, the house has an infiltration system that collects all the water from the roofs in the two large concrete rain-gardens, the stormwater is then filtered before soaking into the sandy soil.” The gutters channel rainwater from the roof down to an underground system.
A defining green feature is the on-site stormwater infiltration system. The architect explains, “To comply with local regulations protecting the creek and beach, the house has an infiltration system that collects all the water from the roofs in the two large concrete rain-gardens, the stormwater is then filtered before soaking into the sandy soil.” The gutters channel rainwater from the roof down to an underground system.
One of the main goals of the construction was to do as little harm as possible to the existing environment, which includes waterways that salmon depend upon. Herrin and his team created a garden roof that covers the full extent of the home to meet this objective. “This helps control storm water runoff and also replaces lost insect habitat—insects being a critical food source for juvenile salmon,” he says.
One of the main goals of the construction was to do as little harm as possible to the existing environment, which includes waterways that salmon depend upon. Herrin and his team created a garden roof that covers the full extent of the home to meet this objective. “This helps control storm water runoff and also replaces lost insect habitat—insects being a critical food source for juvenile salmon,” he says.
In Salt Lake City, a place not renowned for progressive architecture, Brent Jespersen built a luminous canyon retreat—using his architect father and a famed Utah modernist as his guides.
In Salt Lake City, a place not renowned for progressive architecture, Brent Jespersen built a luminous canyon retreat—using his architect father and a famed Utah modernist as his guides.
Architects Leslie and Julie Dowling, twin sisters and Michael Graves protégées, created this 1,000-square-foot, single-story home by linking two flat-roofed pavilions together in the shape of a T. The design of this Sonoma County home was inspired by Philip Johnson’s 1949 Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut.
Architects Leslie and Julie Dowling, twin sisters and Michael Graves protégées, created this 1,000-square-foot, single-story home by linking two flat-roofed pavilions together in the shape of a T. The design of this Sonoma County home was inspired by Philip Johnson’s 1949 Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut.