DESIGN FOR ODD LOTS — Property Improvement Enterprises

Property Improvement Enterprises recently acquired a new project and it’s creating the perfect opportunity for some heavy duty problem solving. The lot we will build on is what we call an “odd lot” -- a piece of land that lends itself to a more funky shape. While building on odd lots presents some challenges, it’s also the perfect reason to get creative with our designs. And because we love sharing our knowledge with you, we thought we’d fill you in on the secrets to designing homes on odd lots:

Know your setbacks! Setbacks are building restrictions placed on property owners. Local governments create setbacks through ordinances and building codes, usually to adhere to public safety, privacy and environment protection. Once you know your setbacks, you can build on your odd lot. Certain setbacks will allow certain structures like a deck or pergola, but prohibit other structures based on size and length.

Know how the shape of your home affects the shape of your odd lot. For example, a triangular home on a rectangular lot might create small outdoor spaces in unique shapes. Just because your outdoor space is an odd shape, doesn’t mean you can’t create an awesome space for your loved ones!

Considering building up! Sometimes odd lots make it impossible to build a ranch-style home, so one option is building a two or three story home. Bonus if you can add a roof-top with a stellar view!

On our recent property purchase we’ll be using a rain garden system which is perfect for odd lots! A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain from a roof, driveway or street and allows it to soak into the ground. From a design perspective, it gives more options for plants and shrubs that do better in a more moist environment!

Bottom line: Functionality is key with an odd lot. You’ll want to utilize every aspect of the land as best as you can. From unique outdoor spaces to a three-story home, having an odd lot creates plenty of opportunities for creativity in design!

We’d love to hear how you’d design an odd lot!