Flat top hip roof thoughts

AgnesCalhoun1

Hi, we are in the process of designing our house which is Georgian style measuring 12 x 9.5 mtrs. A typical hip roof with a pitch of ~35 degrees makes the house look very top heavy as ridge is very high and short in length. Our architect has suggested finishing the top of the hip roof with a flat roof which does look better. What are your thoughts on thus finish?

I'll attach drawings if I can shortly

sydthebeat

12 x 9.5 rectangle is a TERRIBLE design.

My advice would be to start again, using design principles for maximum energy efficiency and solar gains.

bobbyy gee

I would not use flat roof

AgnesCalhoun1

Sorry I should have stated that 12 x 9.5 is just the main body of the house. The house is facing SSE and has single story extensions at the south and west elevations to maximize energy efficiency.

Lumen

I don't think there is even a name for that style of roof, probably because no one is mad enough to do it.

The closest I known of is a Mansard, but that has two pitches, not one pitch and a flat section.

I think it's sometimes done on single storey extensions in order to provide a roof light whilst keeping enough pitch for slates and not blocking upstairs windows, and that's good architecture because the form follows function.

Georgian style is very difficult to pull off with modern construction unless you have very deep pockets. Windows are particularly problematic.

IMO no talented architect would take on a Georgian reproduction for this and other reasons.

bfclancy

Lumen wrote: »

I don't think there is even a name for that style of roof, probably because no one is mad enough to do it.

The closest I known of is a Mansard, but that has two pitches, not one pitch and a flat section.

I think it's sometimes done on single storey extensions in order to provide a roof light whilst keeping enough pitch for slates and not blocking upstairs windows, and that's good architecture because the form follows function.

Georgian style is very difficult to pull off with modern construction unless you have very deep pockets. Windows are particularly problematic.

IMO no talented architect would take on a Georgian reproduction for this and other reasons.

I imagine what the OP means by georgian is straight up two storey with two one story projections either side, country is littered with them and they are called georgian for some reason. Back to the roof, on plans the roof always looks top heavy on the house as you are viewing it in two dimension and there is no perspective, in reality when the house is built the angle of the roof reduces the impact and appearance of the roof, the alternative design for the roof seems like a mad idea, I would suggest the OP goes and looks at a similar house as I say the country is littered with them