Planning Color for the Cluster Condition

One of the most enlightened and creative land plans to capture our imagination in recent years has been "cluster housing." The cluster land plan involves a series of cul-de-sacs set along a main spine street. Such cul-de-sacs typically contain two street-loaded units and one center-loaded rear unit, flanked by two interior courtyard side units. There have been interesting variations on this theme, which will be discussed later in this piece.

The cluster strategy is designed to maximize density and affordability while providing the benefits of single-family detached ambience. Once architecturally heterogeneous, the cluster, like the rest of our production street scenes, has evolved and subsequently embraced the notion of multiple architectural styles quite successfully.

Density Over-Animates Architectural Articulation
As one can imagine, the density of the cluster condition over-animates architectural articulation. The inherent multitude of forms, materials and details makes this a challenge for both the architect and the architectural color consultant. Unlike the single-family detached street scene, wherein only one façade is viewed per lot, the nature of the cluster is such that the viewer will see a portion of many homes simultaneously. As such, it is important that some element aesthetically associates all homes to one another. I call this element the " ribbon of continuity."

Task #1: Distort the Spine Street Setback
When planning exterior colors and materials designs for a cluster product, I always start with the spine street and approach it much the same way I would the prototypical single-family condition. Hopefully, a balanced variety of exterior elevations has been plotted along this all-important thoroughfare. I first assign a color value to each of the elevational styles so as to create the illusion of varied setbacks. In other words, I use the tools of adjacency in light, medium and dark color weight to create the impression that these homes are not static in their placement but rather seem to move back and forth.

Task #2: Use Color to Expand Your Cul-De-Sac
Second, I address the center-loaded rear units. They should be as "dark" as possible so that they seem to recede, thus making the cul-de-sac seem larger. Conversely, the side units, which are often caught in shadow, should be as "light" as possible.

Task #3: Use Color Tools to Vary Similar Elevations
Once the color values of the spine street envelopes are balanced, I then begin the task of getting color to take on a different visual effect on similarly designed elevations. Every time I see a Spanish Colonial style, for instance, I want it to feel slightly different from the one down the street. That having been accomplished for all styles on the main street, I move my color work into the cul-de-sac.

I mentioned previously that the center-loaded unit in the cul-de-sac should be "dark" to make the interior environment seem larger. This can be accomplished in several ways. One must remember that the pedestrian plate line is the overriding factor within most of these vertical environments. To that end, the largest uninterrupted surface within your line of sight will be the garage door of that center-loaded unit. The garage door itself can become your "dark" element and effectively accomplish your goals, in lieu of making the entire home "dark." A light color on this garage door would have over-animated in the shadows of a tight cul-de-sac and thus should be avoided.

The ideal place for the "light" garage door, "light" shutters, etc., is the side unit. By its placement, it suffers from a tertiary importance in the cluster hierarchy. The design and treatment of this unit are all-important to the perception of charm within this environment. It is the surprise, the "element of delight" within the cluster environment because it cannot be seen in its entirety from the spine street.

Task #4: Vary Second-Floor Details
As mentioned previously, the cluster is, within its interior, a vertical environment. The pedestrian plate line aside, great attention must also be paid to the second-floor plates. Think for a moment about the charming details one finds on the upper stories of European architecture. Iron elements, window boxes and Juliet balconies with faux French doors are all examples of details that can draw the eye upward and make this verticality a positive. Make sure to call attention to these elements with deep, rich, timeless color in contrasting values, as the architectural heritage of the style demands.

Task #5: Direct Purchasing to Diversity
In the typical single-family detached street scene, one can get away with volume purchases on items such as shutters, garage doors or entry doors; such is not the case in the successful cluster. One is "up close and personal" with a number of units at once; therefore, special attention will be garnered by sameness. Nothing is more intellectually insulting to the home buyer than a dulling repetition of materials in the production environment. The cluster product requires a different mentality , so special attention needs to be paid to the variety, design and placement of materials. Of utmost importance is the garage door because it occupies a large percentage of the front elevation. Choose a variety of styles; install some with lights and others without.

Our home buyers all want to feel special. One memorable way to accomplish this all-important builder message is to buy an assortment of architecturally specific entry doors. Beautiful door knockers and brass kickplates could also be added to welcome the home buyer.

Each of these little details is not so costly as it is intrinsically valuable to the homeowner and to the legacy that this product leaves behind. To make the embellished entry door especially memorable, paint in a dark, rich, high-gloss paint. This approach will also bounce light about and animate the metal accents.

Task #6: Establish Your Element of Continuity
When choosing a color palette for your cluster product, make sure that one element in each color scheme repeats. Likely, it will be the white. I find this useful in counteracting the "busyness" factor in the cluster setting.Soft, rich envelope colors are generally more successful than bright, clear tones because the latter visually tears apart the environment. Individualize each home as much as is possible while maintaining an overriding theme in the whole.

Task #7: Key Your Hardscape Choices
Finally, the hardscape, which finds its way into the inner recesses of each cul-de-sac, is an exceedingly important element. It can be deftly used to individualize each court and/or to provide the imagery of a European cobble street. This is quite handy in preventing such activities as basketball, but it sometimes creates a hazard for those wearing high-heel shoes.

The color opportunity with the embellished cul-de-sac hardscape is enormous. These choices should be made with the roofs of the surrounding homes in mind. The color story will then bleed from rooftop to foreground in some orchestrated manner. Once that is accomplished, the interior recesses of the cul-de-sac will feel much like a beautifully designed interior.

Task #8: Define Your Enclave With Perimeter Walls & Fences
Don't forget the aesthetic available to you in the perimeter color and materials statements. Often used to define the property in the context of an urban setting, these tools can establish a theme or initiate a color story that is later internalized. Done well, these elements can serve as a beacon of exclusivity to both the passerby and the interested home buyer.

Remember that from every vantage point, color plays a defining role in the successful cluster project. It is a product type that deftly fills a market price point void and can be made infinitely desirable with special attention to critical details.