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Nate Ritchie's Project - Text, Part 1

 

COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS OF STREET COORIDOORS IN A RESIDENTIAL SETTING

By Nathan Ritchie

Part 1

The purpose of this report is to give a concise comparison of typical residential streets in the midwestern United States and in northern England. The American example used in the study is Columbus, Ohio, and the English example is Garstang, Lancashire. The study area includes both the houses that line the street and the entire area that they enclose. This area is broken into three sections that are defined in the report, and subheadings under each section describe the specific aspects that were compared. Each subheading is followed by the midwestern United States observations, the northern England observations, and a comparitive analysis that gives a subjective explination of the findings. Some of the analysis is also supported by local legislation.

Housing

Area parallel to the street, occupied by a row of houses.

size and shape

Height and basic outline of the house as it relates to the street.

united states

A two story house with a wide rectangular shape.

england

A two story house with a narrow rectangular shape.

analysis

In the US laws restrict suburban residential houses to a maximum height of 35ft (10.7m). In England all buildings must blend in with the existing scale of surrounding structures. In most cases two stories seems to be universally adequate to accommodate a single family. The shape of the houses reflects the amount of available space. The wide houses in the US give privacy from the neighbors, while the narrow houses in England push the backyard away from the street.

architectual style

Basic organization of the house as it is seen from the street.

united states

The house is molded around a large garage.

england

The house stands in front of a small detached garage.

analysis

In the US there is a large emphasis on the car, and the garage becomes an important entry into the house, especially in the winter. In England the car is less dominant and the weather has less extremes, so the front door becomes the main entry into the house.

materials

The element seen on the exterior side of the front walls of the house.

United states

Horizontal rows of parallel wooden or synthetic siding.

England

Stone or brick set in mortar, sometimes covered with stucco.

analysis

Building materials reflect what is most easily available in the area. England also has strict laws that force buildings to conform to the local character established long ago.

Row density

The parallel compaction of houses within a certain length.

United states

There is a 15ft to 20ft (4.6m to 6.1m) open gap between houses, and each house stands separate.

england

There is a 20ft (6.1m) gap between houses, but garages sometimes occupy this space. One house is more commonly split, and shared by two families.

analysis

In the US laws require a 5ft (1.5m) open side yard around each house. In England laws only require access along the side of the house, which could be routed through the back door of a garage. The amount of families in each house reflects the amount of available space.

 

 

Nate Ritchie's Project - Text, Part 1