Chapter 5. and Balconies

Chapter 5 Classical architectural detailing was frequently PORCHES & BALCONIES engaged to either create a full height ‘giant order’ and often pediment, or as a Classical hierarchy of design at each level. The strong Front symmetry of many facades is often achieved or A front porch, usually shared, sometimes individual accentuated by the balcony arrangement, framing a and distinct, is a feature of many early and usually central entrance. smaller multifamily . It usually transforms The exterior balcony arrangement was less into a balcony arrangement in a larger apartment frequently a feature of the subsequent ‘double- . loaded corridor’ apartment plan, although they are 5.1 The original design, materials and detailing of occasionally a feature of the side facades of some of a front porch should be retained and repairs made these buildings. Later and often smaller buildings or materials chosen to match. might feature individual shallow iron balconies as a discrete structural addition to each bay. 5.2 Where similar but discrete individual porches are a historic feature of the building, alteration or 5.4 As a key, character-defining feature, an repair should ensure that the original character, original balcony design and arrangement should appearance and relationship is retained. not be altered or enclosed. • Consider the reinstatement of a historic balcony Rear Porch arrangement and design, where this has been A rear porch structure, sometimes initially designed previously lost or altered. as a , may be a feature of a historic 5.5 A building maintenance and repair program multifamily building. will usually require a more frequent balcony 5.3 As a historic feature of the building, a rear maintenance cycle, occasioned by the degree of porch should be retained wherever possible. exposure of a balcony arrangement.

Balconies Balconies may be the most obvious feature of the primary street façade or they may be designed as an individual addition to a window and opening. Early ‘walk up’ apartment buildings are likely to have a notable balcony arrangement, usually designed as a principal characteristic of the style and facade composition of the building. The architectural character of an early apartment building may be defined by the form and See also: A Preservation Handbook for Historic Residential style of the balcony Properties & Districts in Salt Lake City, Ch.5 Porches arrangement and detailing. Rehabilitation Design Guidelines PART II 5 : 1 PART II Design Guidelines

PORCHES AND BALCONIES

5 : 2 PART II Multi-Family & Apartment Design Guidelines