My Mid Century Modern Atomic Garage

[Colville]

Hi everyone, its been years since I've been on this site but Im back, and have just purchased a 1959 ranch home in Charlotte, N.C., I'm working on restoring and putting back to 1959. Its on a 1/2 acre and I'm wanting to build a detached garage/shop out back to house some of my vintage automobiles and to provide a place to service them.

I am looking to do a 2 or 3 car garage with a lean-too for my restored 1966 travel trailer. I would like to make this garage very era-correct to late 1950s early 1960s, and to also make it look as if it was built when the home was.

Here looking for suggestions or ideas of anyone out there that has or is building a shop to replicate the look of the late 1950s early 1960s.

I will include a photo of my home the day we moved in, and a rough rendering of the sort of idea I have for the shop.

Construction should start on this in the coming months, so I'll share photos here along the way

Thanks!

 

[paredown]

I like the 'concept' drawing--nice to match the cottage roof.

Our house is a flat roof contemporary--and because of siting, I'm leaning towards a shed roof, with the high wall on the north side, and clerestory windows. So far only a pipe dream though, since it will be built into a bank, ground floor garage, upstairs workshop...

 

[Stuart in MN]

Good looking house. I'm getting more and more interested in the idea of moving out of my 1913 colonial and finding a mid-century rambler. My brother has one that was built in 1956 that he's mostly restored to original, and I like it quite a bit.

There are a couple other guys here on the board who are specifically working on mid-century places, you should do a search the garage gallery section and check them out.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

That beam design (V shape) is the same as a house I drive by everyday built on one of the Frank Loyd Wright 50s-60s modest home designs.

I like it.

Phil

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Not to be over critical, but having extensive experience in preservation and restoration I'll have to disagree with your descriptions.

Though some will argue the timeline, MCM really falls between the mid 40's to the mid 50's.
Your house doesn't really fit the timeline- nor does the architecture. Ranch; yes. MCM; no.

Most MCM's didn't have garages- they had carports. And those were usually one car (husband worked, wife stayed home and raised the kids). Those that did have garages were most often converted carports. MCM's built in up-scale neighborhoods had two-car garages- most were front-load, some were side-load. And the overwhelming majority were 1 door versus 2 single doors. Many had an over-emphasized recess to the door opening.

Suffice it to say that your separate garage would be an ode to the house (except for the carport). A low-pitch hip roof is definitely a "sunbelt" trait because of the lack of snow.

Good luck with the build!

 

[ScottsGT]

I'd go a bit taller with some horizontal windows across the top so if you want to install a lift you have the room. And the windows will add natural light.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Not to be over critical, but having extensive experience in preservation and restoration I'll have to disagree with your descriptions.

Though some will argue the timeline, MCM really falls between the mid 40's to the mid 50's.
Your house doesn't really fit the timeline- nor does the architecture. Ranch; yes. MCM; no.


Good luck with the build!

There were plenty of MCM houses in the north that were rambler style with low pitched roofs, and garages instead of carports, and depending on who you ask the period stretched into the early 1960s.

 

[Colville]

Not to be over critical, but having extensive experience in preservation and restoration I'll have to disagree with your descriptions.

Though some will argue the timeline, MCM really falls between the mid 40's to the mid 50's.
Your house doesn't really fit the timeline- nor does the architecture. Ranch; yes. MCM; no.

Most MCM's didn't have garages- they had carports. And those were usually one car (husband worked, wife stayed home and raised the kids). Those that did have garages were most often converted carports. MCM's built in up-scale neighborhoods had two-car garages- most were front-load, some were side-load. And the overwhelming majority were 1 door versus 2 single doors. Many had an over-emphasized recess to the door opening.

Suffice it to say that your separate garage would be an ode to the house (except for the carport). A low-pitch hip roof is definitely a "sunbelt" trait because of the lack of snow.

Good luck with the build!

I totally appreciate critical, as I'm quite critical myself...

I suppose there is technical eras for mid mod, but personally I dont think any other year is more mid mod than 1959. Automobiles, homes, appliances, hell everything that year had quite a design. My home isnt as mid mod as some, but with the details of the home I consider it a mid mod ranch, especially when I'm done with a few other things I will be adding.

This house has a rear entry garage, it was originally a car port, all they did is add a garage door in the 70s.

I'm adding a detached shop/garage because I have an addiction to automobiles lol.

If you saw the ranch home beside me, you would see the subtle details that sets this home apart from traditional mid century ranch homes. But, I totally appreciate your opinion, after all, thats why I shared this here

 

[Colville]

I'd go a bit taller with some horizontal windows across the top so if you want to install a lift you have the room. And the windows will add natural light.

That has definitely been a thought, although I just dont want the garage to be taller than the home, or take over the look of the home.

 

[Colville]

I like the 'concept' drawing--nice to match the cottage roof.

Our house is a flat roof contemporary--and because of siting, I'm leaning towards a shed roof, with the high wall on the north side, and clerestory windows. So far only a pipe dream though, since it will be built into a bank, ground floor garage, upstairs workshop...

Not familiar with the term "cottage roof" I have a different picture in my head than my roof. Sounds like a rad shop you want to build though!

Good looking house. I'm getting more and more interested in the idea of moving out of my 1913 colonial and finding a mid-century rambler. My brother has one that was built in 1956 that he's mostly restored to original, and I like it quite a bit.

There are a couple other guys here on the board who are specifically working on mid-century places, you should do a search the garage gallery section and check them out.

Where is the garage gallery? I say as long as the home is old, and you can appreciate its history, its a rad house! Thanks!

That beam design (V shape) is the same as a house I drive by everyday built on one of the Frank Loyd Wright 50s-60s modest home designs.

I like it.

Phil

Thank you! I loveeeee those "V" design pillars on car ports!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Where is the garage gallery? I say as long as the home is old, and you can appreciate its history, its a rad house! Thanks!

You can go to the main menu and scroll down to see the various sub-forums, or take this direct link: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=7

Here are a couple of the discussions i was thinking about:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345587
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ragejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=403711

 

[Growlertdi]

I'm going to follow this one. my first home was a 1959 small ranch home. Still have it as a rental currently.

Looking forward to following along.

 

[justinmc]

Will be interesting to see how this progresses. As mentioned I would start a "garage gallery" thread.

I have a MCM "cubist" type residence built in 1960.. it had a 2 car carport that at some point someone added 10' to the back of and enclosed into a garage. It still flows nicely with the home and doesn't look "odd". The house is scaled in a way that from the street you don't get a sense of the actual size. The garage itself is 30' deep.

Whole thing had a bad 80's makeover and we're slowly updating and "fixing" a lot of the original features. I need to start my own thread actually.

The use of the V supports for your lean-too would be correct for that style and type of house (I see them as porch supports often) usually in 4" steel or sometimes wood.

Attaching a photo of something that shows a good example of orignal mid century ranch styling using those supports for the carport. I have also seen "boomerang" versions which lean outwards and add a very neat visual element as well.

 

[TRWham]

A few randoms:

Is that a '53 Oldsmobile in the back?

Start looking for brick now. It is much harder to match than you might imagine, but it may be easier in North Carolina given the prevalence of brick makers there.

Roughly where is this in Charlotte?

 

[ScottsGT]

That has definitely been a thought, although I just dont want the garage to be taller than the home, or take over the look of the home.

Some creative designing with the roof trusses and you could have a vaulted ceiling so it doesn't have to be too tall. I'd give my left nut to be able to start designing a new garage with a lift.