Not Just a Pretty Facade
In a world where homes are built for speed and economy, bold architectural moments, both large and small, are often seen as unnecessary indulgences. Yet these elements are far from frivolous; they add value in ways that go beyond monetary returns. They can transform a code-compliant box into a home that makes a lasting impression. Far from being mere decoration, they set the tone, express style, often serve a functional purpose and are what set a home apart from its neighbors. They remind us that homes are more than commodities, they have intrinsic worth beyond price per square foot.
The first elements you see on a building are more than just its curb appeal; they help establish its tone and context. A dramatic wall of glass is confident and open. An entry recessed within a covered porch feels warm, traditional and reserved. A stone accent wall can project power and permanence. Scale, materiality, color and ornament are the architectural cues that shape the way a building is perceived at first glance, a preview that sets expectations for what is inside. This initial impression is what draws us in, past the facade, into the building’s personality.
That personality, or style, is expressed through deliberate design choices. Clean white volumes with floor-to-ceiling glass reference a Contemporary or Modern aesthetic, while textured stucco arches and red clay tile roofs evoke Spanish Revival style. Wood joinery and stained glass recall the detailed craftsmanship of the Arts & Crafts era; thick adobe walls and small punched fenestrations speak to Mission-era and Southwest traditions. Each design decision is shaped by place, history and cultural influences, giving the home historical context and a story.
An equally important part of that story is the relationship between public and private space. Architecture and landscape can work together to create varying degrees of privacy and separation, from open, welcoming thresholds that invite connection from the street to site walls that shield interiors from view. A low wall may define a boundary without blocking a vista; plantings can filter sightlines while softening hard edges. When designed intentionally fences and walls can be used to keep the unwanted out without looking uninviting; lighting can both accent and prevent dark corners at night. These calibrated boundaries shape how people interact with a home, balancing openness and privacy.
Unseen elements play an equally important role. A long-span beam enabling a glass wall, integrated tracks concealing window treatments, or hidden lighting systems that make surfaces glow, these technical decisions support the architecture without drawing attention to themselves. They make bold gestures possible, ensuring the space functions seamlessly while keeping the focus on the experience.
Nuance comes from the layering of tone, style, structure and space. A single gesture alone may fall flat, but layers of elements, textures, light and detail create depth and complexity. A tree filtering sunlight through a clerestory, a textured wall paired with antique iron sconces, light from a hidden coves breezeway shaded with climbing vines, combine to form a complete, considered experience. When every layer, from structure to finish, works together, the building feels intentional, whole and unforgettable.
What creates lasting character are these elevated moments: the late-day light filtered through the branches of a tree and clerestory, the seamless curve of a handrail providing support as you ascend a staircase, the rhythm of a stepping path slowing your pace, the view perfectly framed by a picture window in the primary bedroom. These details engage the senses as much as the mind. They are the reason a space stays with you long after you’ve left, and what draws you back again.
In a value-engineered marketplace, these touches are often the first to be cut. Yet when they remain, they elevate a building from merely functional to captivating and marketable because it is the feeling, not the floor plan, that people fall in love with. Architectural elements, whether daring or discreet, give a building its mood, its identity and its selling power. Remove them and the building may still sell. Keep them, and it resonates — commanding attention, and, yes, top dollar. In a world of generic options, character is the ultimate differentiator.
By Rachel Shillander, a Los Angeles, CA-based artist and architect, focused on domestic architecture and construction. She may be reached at rachel@rachelshillander.com.
This article appeared in our September issue of Builder and Developer
