Having to sacrifice so as to not be COMPLETELY modern?

I understand your disappointment. We had the same problems when we decided to build a house ten years ago.

But a flat roof is not a necessity for a house to be modern. You can build a fairly normal house (outside), avoiding columns, arched or bay windows, fake wood shutters and other false orament. Instead have a lot of large same size/ same style windows, a flush entry door, modern landscaping. And inside, you can do what you want anyway. Use the same flooring throughout, install a modern kitchen, choose sleek fixtures and furniture - here you go: That's a modern house!

What do the neighbor's homes look like? And to what extent do new homes have to fit the existing ones? Only in terms of shape, number of floors, setbacks, roof? Or are there builders you have to deal with?

Subdivisions, alas, are no place for a modern home. IMHO, you're better off building a smaller house on an urban lot rather than a larger modern in a vinyl-clad subdivision.

Previously darrel wrote:

><p>Subdivisions, alas, are no place for a modern home. IMHO, you're better off building a smaller house on an urban lot rather than a larger modern in a vinyl-clad subdivision. <br >

><blockquote>

unfortunatly that is 1.) very hard to come by in this area and 2.) what is available is extremely expensive.

Previously darrel wrote:

Subdivisions, alas, are no place for a modern home. IMHO, you're better off building a smaller house on an urban lot rather than a larger modern in a vinyl-clad subdivision.

Previously Brad wrote:

Long time reader, first time poster...

So here is my predicament. We are a younger couple (27 and 25) and we're looking to build. I have spent the past 8 months trying to find some rural land, to no avail (everything is over $80k and out of our budget with well/septic/etc). Our budget for land is apx. $40k. Sounds low, I know. This is the midwest burbs we're talking about here.

So anyways, we really wanted something modern, but we're starting to see now that that isnt going to happen. We found 2 lots now that are in a sub-division. Only thing is, they have a rule that your blueprints must be "approved" to somewhat fit the surrounding homes. (ie: no flat-roofed home).

So...where do I look to find something that will "fit" this neighborhood, but also will fill some of our modern design sensibilities?

This is tough, no doubt.

I understand your situation!  My husband and I have 3 children and the whole urban loft thing was not for us.  We wanted our kids to live close to other kids and have some room to run and roam.  This usually means the suburbs. 

One thing I can say is that if you want to BUILD a modern home, plan on it costing more unless you can find a builder that is used to building modern homes.  Builders need to make a profit, and if everything they are doing is something new to them and their subcontractors, you are going to pay a "pain in the rear" price. 

You might be better off looking for a house built in the fifties or sixties that has the great modern interior spaces you are looking for.  Then do some rehab work.  If the exterior has been compromised over time, bring it back to its great mid-century glory.  Most of those houses have great bones, they just need some TLC.  You might get more house for your money.

But, if you really want to build, talk to the contractors that are building in the subdivisions that you are looking at.  Sometimes their plans can be modified to create a more modern looking house.  For instance, if you take a simple 2 story with a pitched roof and strip away the gaudy trim, make the house narrower and increase the roof pitch, you have the beginnings of a modern home. (Not everyone can have a flat roof.) Or see if they can do some simple shed roofs that slope down to the back of the house.  Then play with the skin, use vertical siding instead of horizontal, corrugated metal for the soffits, and if your budget allows, do aluminum windows instead of vinyl.  Make sure the interior spaces are open and meet your needs without being too big.  9 foot ceilings feel way more modern than 8 foot ceilings, etc.  Forbo feels way more modern than carpet, etc.

Good luck!

I would not build a modern home in the middle of barf suburbia. While it might be tempting to show people how things are done (I know). You will have a hard time selling it later. I would keeping looking until you find some land. I can tell you from experience that building a house is hard enough, fighting with architectual review boards and neighbors is not something you will want on your back.

It's different having a "standout modern" house in an infill lot of various style houses, then in an uniform "beige" or "gray" new subdivision.  Your not being the same, is kinda the norm. 

We are just finishing building our own home on an infill, and because of the "pain-n-rear" contractor cost factor we did most of the work ourselves.  We are surrounded by a large 1904 victorian, 70's modern, and some split levels.  Our house fits in, and doesn't all at the same time.

Jacqueline hit it on the money with getting a 50'-70's house that has good bones.  some are soo close to greatness, with a few of their odd quirks worked out.  You might not ever consider it, but even an horrible, but inexpensive and simple split level 70's house has a simple enough shape with some carefull architect designed changes could be a great base to start with.  It's a strech I know, but you might be amazed at what adding a new entry structure on the front of one of these might do.

Not sure that you will have much luck building or modifying a standard plan to look modern in a typical subdivision. Too many restrictions. Remodeling an older home to a modern style sounds like a good option. My only concern is that by the time you buy the home and make all the changes to the style you want, you may have more in it than it will be worth. Unless of coarse you are able to find a fixer-upper on the cheap. Then, you could get what you want and still have some equity.

As far as building new in the Midwest, I am assuming you have considered building in or near some of the bedroom communities a few miles out of the city. This can always be a good option if you don’t mind a little commute.

Building a modern style home can be accomplished for little more than the typical home in the area as long as you make good choices on the materials and finishes. Also keep in mind that you can compromise on a cheaper finish in some areas today in order to stay in budget and replace it at a later date. The bones of the house are much harder to change.

Good Luck

We are currently building a modern house on an infill lot in a first tier suburb of St. Paul. Although the greater area is filled with homes of all different ages and styles the specific street we are building on is filled with a variety of McMansion homes of all different styles built in the mid and late 90's. We were lucky to find a lot that was oddly shaped, wooded, located on cul-de-sac with only two other homes and next to two wetlands creating a buffer between us and the other homes of the neighborhood but best of all NO building covenants. My point is that you may have to be open minded and creative to find a place to build a modern home.

Seriously consider finding yourself a good young and hungry architect, or firm known for pushing the envelope. Establish a budget you are comfortable with for their services and tell them that's it. Then show them the covenants/restrictions where you are planning to build (if they are written down) and see if they can come up with a cool design that fits within them while pushing out of them everywhere possible.

A good architect will probably love this challenge to showcase their talents in this way. Interview a couple of them until you find one that is comfortable with the challenge, your budget and that you are comfortable working with. check out the AIA.org in your area for some resources they should meet with you for free for that initial meeting.

Previously Brad wrote:

Long time reader, first time poster...

So here is my predicament. We are a younger couple (27 and 25) and we're looking to build. I have spent the past 8 months trying to find some rural land, to no avail (everything is over $80k and out of our budget with well/septic/etc). Our budget for land is apx. $40k. Sounds low, I know. This is the midwest burbs we're talking about here.

So anyways, we really wanted something modern, but we're starting to see now that that isnt going to happen. We found 2 lots now that are in a sub-division. Only thing is, they have a rule that your blueprints must be "approved" to somewhat fit the surrounding homes. (ie: no flat-roofed home).

So...where do I look to find something that will "fit" this neighborhood, but also will fill some of our modern design sensibilities?

This is tough, no doubt.

I'm in a similar situation: I've laid claim on a lot within a new sub-urban division and want to build a modern house.  I've gotten my hands on the 'design guidline' and reading through is dreary affair.  Everything from roof pitch, overhang, exterior materials, trim and colors seem to be very restricted.

Here in MN we have plenty of the dreaded cookie cutter split level homes.  A local architect put together a guide for remodeling them.  Not exactly cutting edge modern but can give you some ideas on what can be done w/ traditional homes.  The pdf guide was free online but now I see they are charging for it.  Maybe my fellow ice fisherman neighbors have some demand for it!  LOL

http://www.residentialarchitects.com/slideshow.asp?pgk=4&pk=48

Modern homes absolutely belong in suburbia and where ever else modernists want to live!  Eichlers were built in the suburbs.  I agree that you should use an architect and have that person design your house from the inside out.  Make the interior your MOD haven and then work with the exterior as best as you can.  My husband designs all his houses from the inside out to meet the needs of the family that will live there.  Then the exterior naturally evolves. 

When I saw this house http://homes.realtor.com/prop/1080028828 today, I thought about this thread.

Take a look at the virtual tour. You don't need to like the choices the owners made, but I think everyone agrees that inside it is a very modern home.

I'd always prefer to build a truly modern house with an architect. But if, for whatever reason, you have to build in a subdivision with lots of restrictions, you can still make your home as modern as possible inside and avoid "decorative" exterior stuff like arches, columns and fake shutters.

Connie