In June we travelled to the United States on an ideas trip, exploring homes in the Utah Valley Parade of Homes. This showcase brought together some of the finest builders and designers in Utah, giving us the opportunity to see how American design is evolving — and how those ideas might be adapted here in New Zealand.
For us, it was about more than just looking at houses. It was about studying the details, understanding the intent behind them, and thinking carefully about how international design trends could shape the way we design homes for our clients back home.
Key Design Elements We Observed
As we toured houses, drove miles (yes miles) of residential streets, there were key design elements which stood out, really answering the question we had – what makes American Architecture…actually look like American Architecture?
This is what we came to:
Two + Storey Homes
The very first thing we noticed was that single storey homes were virtually non-existent. Most homes would be two storey, and often only appear that way from the road when actually there was a basement tucked underneath as well, making it three storey.
Steep Pitch Shingle Roofs
This was super obvious. Most homes had a 30-40 degree main roof which was mostly clad with timber shingles or asphalt singles. This, combined with the two storey design, made the homes big, grand, glamorous.
Tray Roofing on Lower Roofs
Wherever roofs dipped to a lower pitch, they were often finished in Colorsteel (for our NZ readers) or copper tray profiles. This is likely due to minimum pitch requirements for shingles, but it also introduced contrast in both texture and colour. The effect was layered, detailed, and beautifully intentional.
Mid or Skirt Roofs
When the lower floor is larger than the upper floor, a mid or skirt roof is used. These were almost a design style, which added another layer in the home, and were most often clad with the tray profiles mentioned above, which was a variation to the shingles on the main roof of the house. They looked – very good!
Exterior Shutters
Many of the homes incorporated shutters on the exterior walls beside the windows. These were mostly just for aesthetics and didn’t actually have hinges, but added another layer of detail to the exterior walls which made the homes look very stately.
Copper Gutters and Downpipes
The level of detail continued with copper spouting and downpipes, which added warmth and sophistication. Beyond the rustic patina it features, copper is durable — something we could see translating beautifully into higher-end New Zealand projects.
Dormers and more Dormers
Often dormers are overlooked because they’re deemed expensive and unnecessary, but they used them a lot in America. They add more character to the roofline and often have them splitting the gutter line with the roof curving down over the top of them.
Thoughtful Exterior Lighting
Lighting was never an afterthought. We noticed many wall lights intentionally placed to highlight façades and features, creating ambience and depth both day and night.
Colonial Bars in Windows
Finally, the use of colonial bars in windows reinforced traditional, timeless styling. It’s a subtle detail in the joinery but it makes a huge impact to the overall aesthetics of a home design, and mixed with the other elements mentioned above really make an American home, American.
What We Took Away
The homes felt substantial, layered, and rich in character. Every element, from the roof pitch to the exterior lighting, had been considered and integrated into a cohesive design. It reminded us that great architecture isn’t just about form and function — it’s about those extra touches that make a house feel like a home.
For New Zealand clients, incorporating American architectural influence doesn’t mean copying it directly. It’s about drawing inspiration and adapting it thoughtfully to suit our local environment, materials, and lifestyle.
Bringing American Architecture to New Zealand Homes
At Arcline, we specialise in tailoring international design inspiration to the New Zealand context. If you’re dreaming of a home with the timeless appeal of American architecture — shingle roofs, elegant dormers, colonial detailing, or simply a sense of grandeur — we can help you make it a reality.
We’ve worked with clients across the country who want something unique, and now is the perfect time to begin. By starting early, we can design a home that not only reflects your style but also fits perfectly into its site and surroundings.
In the meantime – enjoy our gallery of images below, showcasing some of the exteriors and interiors of the homes we visited.
