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Introduction
Cupertino's neighborhoods have developed over a period of
decades with varying architectural styles. Homeowners and build-
ers are allowed design flexibility if their design conforms to the
following design principles. Two story homes with a second story
to first floor ratio greater than 45% are allowed when they offset
the building massing with designs that encompass higher quality
architectural features and materials.
Design Principles
These design principles help integrate new homes and additions
to existing homes with existing neighborhoods by providing a
framework for the review and approval process. Where possible,
additional details and examples have been provided. Conditions
not covered by these examples will be evaluated on a case -by -cases
basis.
1. Provide an identifiable architectural style. Attractive
homes are designed by using elements from one con-
sistent theme. It is best to work with your designer to
identify and carry out one style around the entire house.
2. Design features, proportions and details to be consistent
with architectural style.
3. Provide facade articulation. The following techniques
offer ways to mitigate the bulk of larger homes in smaller
scale neighborhoods and the impact of two-story tall
walls on adjacent neighbors and the streetscape.
• Second floor setbacks
• Horizontal and vertical wall plane changes
• Pop outs
• Bay windows
• Chimneys
• Wide overhangs with projecting brackets
• Juliet balconies
• Belly bands
• Window boxes and pot shelves
• Landscaped trellises and lattices
• Projecting window trim
• Materials and color changes
• Inset balconies
• Applied decorative features
• Recessed garage doors
• Recessed windows
• Window trim
• Tall trees to break up views of long walls
4. Use high quality materials.
5. Ensure massing and scale appropriate to the architectural
style.
6. Design with architectural integrity of forms, materials
and details on all sides of the structure.
7. Provide symmetry, proportions and balance consistent
with the architectural style.
Distinguishing Architectural Features
There are a wide range of architectural styles in Cupertino.
However, there are a few that have been most preferred in recent
years. Annotated illustrations outlining some of the distinguish-
ing features for five of the most common styles are included on
the following pages:
• Arts and Crafts
• Mediterranean
• Spanish Eclectic
• Italian Villa
• French Country
Resources
The following resources may be useful to homeowners, builders,
and design professionals in understanding the special qualities of
specific house styles.
• A Field Guide to American Homes
Virginia & Lee McAlester
Alfred A. Knopf 2000
The Abrams Guide to American House Styles
Wilkin Morgan
Harry N. Abrams, Inc 2004
• House Styles in America
James C. Massey
Penquin Studio 1996
• Celebrating the American Home
Joanne Kellar Bouknight
The Taunton Press 2005
The Distinctive Home, A Vision of Timeless Design
Jeremiah Eck
The Taunton Press 2005
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Distinguishing Features
Arts and Crafts Style homes are characterized by
gently pitched broad roof gables with wide eave
overhangs. The visual impact of second floor spaces
is often minimized by incorporating the living
space into the roof form, and utilizing gable or shed
dormers for light and interior volume. Generously
sized entry porches with distinctive columns and
column bases are common, as is the abundance of
wood details.
1. Generous and slightly elevated entry porch
2. Large tapered or square wood columns
3. Stone, brick, shingle, or wood paneled column
base
4. Wood porch railing
5. Gabled roof ends
6. Expressed wood beam
7. Decorative wood brackets
8. Wide wood window frames with divided light
panes
9. Exposed rafter tails
10. Decorative Arts and Craft carriage light
11. Gable and shed dormers
12. Shingle and/or wood siding occasionally with a
small amount of stucco
13. Composition or simulated wood shake roof
shingles
14. Interesting gable end window, attic vent, and/
or wood details
15. Bay windows with base trim and brackets
16. Ancillary structures with matching forms,
materials, and details
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Distinguishing Features
Mediterranean Style homes are characterized by
low-pitched hip roofs, typically covered in tile.
Roof overhangs are generally wide, and often are
accentuated by decorative brackets. Windows are
typically deep set from the exterior wall surface, and
upper story windows are smaller and less elaborate
than ground floor windows. Selected windows and
doors often have arched head shapes, and entries are
accentuated by deep recesses and flanking columns
attached to the wall, but are generally subdued.
Facades are often symmetrical.
1. Low pitched roof with heavy textured tiles
2. Wide roof overhangs for sun shading, often
with decorative brackets
3. Stucco or stone walls
4. Deep set windows and entries, sometimes with
arched heads and/or windows accentuated with
surrounding trim
5. Decorative metal carriage lights and railings
6. Often symmetrical massing and window layout
7. Upper floor windows smaller and less elaborate
8. Supplemental sun shading at selected windows
9. Distinctive chimney shapes and caps
10. Small balconies with decorative railings and
brackets
11. Decorative columns and details
12. Decorative shutters
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Distinguishing Features
Spanish Eclectic Style homes are characterized by
low-pitched gable and hip roofs, typically covered in
red tiles. Roof overhangs may be wide with decora-
tive brackets or minimal with curved molding at
the wall/roof juncture. Windows are typically deep
set from the exterior wall surface, and usually have
projecting molding at their heads and sills. Selected
windows and doors often have arched head shapes,
and entries are accentuated by deep recesses and
heavy wood doors. Facades are generally informal
and asymmetrical in their massing.
1. Low pitched roofs with heavy textured red
tiles - overhangs may be large with decorative
brackets or very small with curved moulding at
the wall/roof juncture
2. Stucco walls
3. Recessed entry door - often with arched head
4. Deep set windows, sometimes with arched
heads
5. Informal and asymmetrical building forms
6. Distinctive upper level balconies with metal or
wood details
7. Wood window shutters
8. Projecting window head and sill trim
9. Decorative tile and metal details
10. Distinctive chimney shapes and caps
11. Second floor overhangs with wood beam and
bracket supports
12. Casement windows with divided lights
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Distinguishing Features
Italian Villa Style homes are characterized in the
Bay Area a wide variety of forms and details drawn
from a variety of common Italian styles. They are
frequently formal in their facade design, and often
symmetrical with accentuated windows and entries.
Typically, they are uniformly two -stories in height
with low pitched hipped roofs.
1. Low pitched hip roof
2. Wide roof eaves, often with formal supporting
brackets
3. Symmetrical or asymmetrical front facade win-
dow patterns well -organized around a project-
ing formal entry with Italianate columns
4. Tall first floor windows
5. Deep set windows in grouped patterns
6. Arched window heads and/or accentuated trim
above the windows
7. Projecting or recessed entries with Italianate
columns and/or trim
8. Projecting window heads, jambs and sills
9. Bold cast stone balustrades
10. Articulated belt and trim courses
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Distinguishing Features
French Country Style homes are characterized by
steeply pitched roofs with eaves commonly flared
upward at roof -wall junctions. They may be sym-
metrical in form and facade organization, but are
more typically asymmetrical. Some variations include
a round tower with a high, conical roof. Individual
homes exhibit a wide variety in form and detailing,
but are united by the strong roof form. Roofs are
commonly covered with slate, tile or other rough -tex-
tured materials. Roof dormers are common. Entries
are often deep-set from the home's front wall.
1. Gable and hip roof forms with medium to steep
pitch
2. Closed eaves
3. Stucco, stone, or brick walls
4. Recessed entry vestibule with decorative mould-
ing or projecting gable
5. Articulated entry details
6. Casement windows with divided lights - often
recessed
7. Second floor overhangs with wood beam and
decorative supports
8. Planter boxes, shutters, and other decorative
details
9. Distinctive chimney shapes and caps
10. Gabled dormers
11. Bay windows with metal roofs
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