Residential Entry Canopies

[Woodway Residence by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, photo by Nic Lehoux]

Here in the rainy Pacific Northwest, the entrance to a home is a good indication of an architect’s design ability. How the architecture keeps the drizzle off your head while you search for your keys or wait for your host, says quite a bit about how the house was designed and how well it works. As important as entry canopies are, they are all too often overlooked and become stick-on details at the tail-end of the design process. This is unfortunate, as the entry canopy has a functional purpose and, at the same time, must integrate with the design of the home. It would seem that a well considered entry encapsulates everything about good design.

[Benson Lake Cabin by BUILD LLC]

Good design takes into account the weather of the region and placement of the structure on the site. Good design accommodates the lifestyle of the inhabitants without becoming a loud design feature. Good design doesn’t allow you to get soaked while you wait for the door to open.

For today’s post we’re breaking down the entry canopy into 8 species, each with a couple of or favorite examples. Hit that comments button and share your favorite canopy concepts out there…

CANTILEVERED CANOPIES
East Columbia Street Residence in Seattle by E. Cobb Architects, photo by Paul Warchol