Home design in Gig Harbor takes many forms even today. I say that because even in the early days of Gig Harbor home designs were just as varied as they are today. Having spent the past year walking and boating in the harbor observing the Architecture I could draw only one conclusion about the original buildings here: They are eclectic - the unifying element in all the designs here is that there is no unifying element. Attempts to provide some unity must be drawn from somewhere else or will need to expand on a few of the existing styles that do exist.
Many of the locals, including myself, view the Harbor from the water. From that vantage point you cannot help noticing the substantial number of net sheds that are not only still present but actually in use. Gig Harbor is still a fishing village. At the beginning of the summer of 2012 I really didn't understand how the fisherman used the net sheds. That will undoubtedly get a laugh from most of the locals. However, through my friendship with Captain Peter Bennison and my subsequent moorage at the Ancich Dock I gained first hand knowledge of exactly why they are still needed as I watched the fishermen load and unload their nets from and into the sheds. From my point of view, the interesting thing about the net sheds is that they are one of the few unifying elements of Architecture found in the downtown area of Gig Harbor. Though they could never hold a candle to the grand designs of Canterwood they were born with the harbor itself. They were essential then and very much in use today.
Looking beyond the water's edge there remain a number of business buildings with false fronts which was a typical treatment of buildings in the early west. Also, there remains a surprising number of "Salt Box" style homes along Harborview Drive and outward as you look up the hill. These very simple designs are the one original design style which could be used to draw inspiration for new homes on the few remaining lots. Usually one and a half or two stories high and with steep pitched roofs the 'salt boxes' are embellished with shed roof attachments, dormers of all kinds, gabled wings, breezeways and garages. The style can be quite charming. Walking up Pioneer from Harborview about four block on the right I found a home that could be a model for design standards in the downtown area of Gig Harbor. It is currently white with green trim and consists of two buildings. One, I assume was the original residence and the other the original garage. However, living space seems to have been added above the garage with interesting dormers and other roof lines. The same sort of treatment was used on the original home with dormers added. The overall effect is that of an east coast, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard feel. In the interest of keeping view corridors open in this historic district I would add that the footprint of these two buildings are relatively small, with two stories and steep pitched roofs. Let me suggest that if the concept of using several joined small footprint buildings of this sort was used in that district and by turning most or some of the ridgelines of those roofs perpendicular to the water, new homes could be built of significant size yet maintaining the views. The effect of as few as six new homes constructed in this fashion in the historic district of Gig Harbor would have a truly charming effect on the overall ambiance of The Harbor.
Jim Copeland
Senior Designer
JIM COPELAND DESIGNING
Gig Harbor, WA
Saturday, January 5, 2013
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Thursday, November 15, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Jim Copeland Designing - Country French Cottage on the water
Designed in 2000 to look centuries old.- Designed in 2000 to look centuries old.
This is one of my favorite projects. Under construction in September of 2001 it was designed while my clients were in Europe visiting France, England and Germany. There instructions to me before leaving were, " We want a country French cottage for our home. When they returned 30 days later the well developed concept for this home was done. We worked on the spaces and details but it was constructed largely as my original design was laid out.
My intent was that we create a design that looked like it was old and had been patched with stucco and stone over the centuries. The radius used on the eaves and the dropped gables soften the structure and give it a somewhat Whimsical feel. Hidden away on Puget Sound the original owners still reside there.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012
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