Outbuildings

History And design
Outbuildings forHistoric Homes

Outbuildings
Definition: A detached building subordinate to a main building
Range from small, rustic, poorly built structures to large, elaborate, high style buildings
Early uses for Florida outbuildings concentrated on separation of functions
Heat
Dirt
Odors

Typical Florida Residential Historic Outbuildings
Farm uses
Livestock
Agriculture
Detached Kitchen
Outhouse
Carriage House
Pump House
Laundry
Servants Quarters
Chapel
Storage
Garage
Garage Apartment
Apartment/ Cottage
Tool Shed
Potting Shed
Workshop

Agricultural Uses
Dudley Farm Historic State Park
18 buildings on site, including:
Main house
Detached Kitchen
Worker housing
Laundry room
Tobacco Barn
Dairy Shed
Sweet Potato Cellar
General Store
Post Office
Barn
Cane syrup complex
Cattle Dip vat

Common Historic Uses, no longer needed
Outhouse
Pump House
Carriage House
Laundry
Servant quarters
Barns, chicken coops, stables, etc.
Change in property use
Change in farming techniques
Business uses
Tarpon Springs sponge drying sheds
Can often be adapted to new uses due to the simple nature of the structures

Common Historic Uses, still in use
Garages
Garage Apartments
Cottage Apartments
Sheds

Garages
Natural evolution from the carriage house
Recognized as a separate type of outbuilding by 1912
Detached due to fire concerns as well as fumes
Generally set to the rear of the lot
Subdivisions incorporate alley access
Bungalow Courts
Designed to hold one or more vehicles

Garage Design
Available from mail order catalogs
Early garages had double swinging doors
Sliding track doors
Overhead doors invented in 1921 by C. G. Johnson (Overhead Door Company)
Also invented electric garage door opener in 1926
Can match the main house or be different style
Wood, metal, brick, stucco all common

Mail Order Garages

Attached Garages
As cars became safer and lot sizes changed, the garage moved closer to the house
By the mid 1920s, designs with attached garages were seen in mail order catalogs
Not compatible with long narrow lots typical in early neighborhoods
By the 1940s, attached garages were common
Attached carports (portecochere) popular in Florida

1950s Garages

Garage Apartment/ Cottage Apartment
Common in 1920s boom-era Florida suburbs
Mission and Mediterranean Revival style as well as Craftsman
2-story Garage Apartment w/ parking below and apartment above
Cottage Apartments typically 1-story

Sheds
Definition: a slight or rude structure built for shelter, storage, etc.
Can be adapted to many uses, but most commonly used for tool storage or gardening equipment

Why Keep a Historic Outbuilding
Part of home’s history
Adds depth to neighborhood character
Designed to complement home
Adaptable to many uses
Extra space!
Zoning
Setbacks

Why would you want an outbuilding today?
Storage
Lawnmower, tools, sports equipment, bikes, motorcycle, boat, etc.
Home Gym/ Yoga Room
Guest House
Pool Cabana
Outdoor Kitchen
Screen Room
Play Room
Bar/ Entertaining Space
Escape
Home Office

Designing a New Outbuilding
Determine size appropriate for your use
Keep the outbuilding visually subordinate to the main building both in size and detail
Plan the outbuilding location
Make sure the building will not block desirable views (or will block undesirable ones), is not in a flood prone part of the yard, is easily accessible for the intended use, meets local zoning setbacks, and does not interfere with mature trees and landscaping

Form
Roof shape
Roof overhang
Soffit/ rafter tail design
Proportions

Exterior materials
Siding material, dimensions
Paint in a complementary color
Doors and windows
Mimic window proportions and configuration
Draw from details on existing home

Trim/ Details
Window and door surrounds
Cornerboards
Skirtboard
Outriggers/ brackets

Look around for design inspiration
Neighborhoods
Historic images
Books
Web
Flickr and other photo sharing sites
Think what would have been built during the era your home was constructed

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Outbuildings

by Preservation Resource, Inc./ Historic Shed

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