Four Sided Architecture
Intentional design, cohesive materials and four-sided architecture work together to make exterior design a driving factor of homebuyer satisfaction.
First impressions matter, especially in the luxury market. While buyers ultimately choose a floorplan for its functionality, the exterior design sets the tone, enhances value and creates a sense of pride in ownership. For Horizon at Deerlake Ranch in Chatsworth, California, WHA partnered with Pulte Group to show how four-sided architecture and thoughtfully curated elevations can create beautiful homes that strengthen the larger master-planned community.
Designed for growing families and multigenerational households, Horizon’s single-family residences offer three spacious and highly functional layouts. Beyond the floorplan, luxury buyers look for curb appeal – the daily experience of arriving home, welcoming guests and walking through the neighborhood that feels cohesive and refined. WHA’s four-sided architecture approach and enhanced elevation program ensures that every side of the home, whether front-facing or tucked away, receives the same attention to detail. Working closely with WHA’s Color Studio, the design team considers the community context, natural surroundings and weather patterns to curate timeless, thoughtfully composed palettes that elevate the community’s character. This in-house collaboration allows architecture and color to be developed in tandem, giving builders greater project control and ensuring a seamless, well-composed final product.
Horizon boasts New West, Farmhouse and Tuscan architecture styles. Each style incorporates carefully selected materials such as neutral-toned stucco and siding, rich stonework and playful front doors that add vibrancy to the contemporary streetscape. Together, these details create exteriors that feel intentional, elevated and balance today’s trends and tomorrow’s timelessness. The New West residences emphasize clean lines and contemporary forms, pairing stucco and stone veneer with horizontal lap and board-and-batten siding. Warm neutrals and grounded earth tones create a refined exterior, while punchy front doors in mustard, deep blue and terracotta introduce moments of bold contrast. The Farmhouse style celebrates California tradition with concrete tile roofs, washed and painted brick, and expressive board-and-batten siding. Cream exteriors brighten the streetscape, while details such as merlot doors, metal accents and charcoal contrasts add depth resulting in an inviting blend of rustic familiarity and modern sophistication. The Tuscan elevations inspired by timeless European charm feature S-tile roofing, stone veneer and exposed wood detailing. Paired with warm stucco and shutters in olive green, merlot and deep brown, these homes offer an authentic aesthetic that appeals to buyers seeking classic luxury.
With the community located in a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone, durable materials such as stucco, stone and concrete tile roofing serve a dual purpose. These thoughtful material selections define the architecture styles while providing resiliency, thus ensuring Horizon’s exteriors are as protective as they are beautiful, built to last for years to come. Color and material choices play a critical role in shaping both the homeowner’s experience and the streetscape as a whole. A timeless palette, balanced with trend-forward accents, creates exteriors that feel elegant and inviting. When done successfully, these aspects of the design process elevate the home’s character, enhance its value and contribute to a community identity that resonates long after the first impressions. This approach to curb appeal aligns with the four cornerstones of homeownership – equity, stability, investment and personalization. When exterior design preserves value, reflects lasting quality and instills homeowner pride, it proves to serve more than an aesthetic choice; it becomes essential.
Strong streetscapes enhance the pedestrian experience, foster pride among residents and attract buyers who want to be a part of a cohesive, well-designed neighborhood. Four-sided architecture ensures that every exterior view reflects quality and durability, while carefully chosen materials give buyers assurance that their investment is built to last from every angle.
Horizon at Deerlake Ranch exemplifies how thoughtful exterior design can elevate not just individual homes, but entire communities. For builders and architects, this project serves as a model for integrating four-sided architecture, curated color palettes and resilient materials to create lasting curb appeal. By prioritizing design integrity from every angle and aligning architectural style with community context, professionals can enhance value, foster homeowner pride and contribute to a cohesive neighborhood identity. In today’s competitive market, these principles aren’t just aesthetic choices, they’re strategic investments in long-term success.
By Lindsay Albers. Lindsay is the Vice President of Marketing at WHA. She may be reached at lindsaya@whainc.com.
