An old friend being rediscovered

The front porch is part of traditional American culture, now being reconsidered as a smart architectural feature.   The front porch is a favored aspect of the New American Landscape palette because it contributes to vibrant communities and connected family lifestyles 

Neighborhoods with front porches are part of traditional town planning that was dominant prior to the 1950’s.   This form of neighborhood layout includes elements such as: grid street patterns, pedestrian sidewalks, alleyways and auto garages at the rear of the house.  Traditional town planning was prevalent until suburban development became popular and the automobile replaced pedestrian modes of transportation.

The Front porch is a feature of traditional neighborhoods that enhance social vitality and community health.  The front porch facilitates neighborhoods where people have the opportunity to meet and create lively social interactions.    Without the front porch and its close connection to the sidewalk, a house becomes a fortress, disconnected from the life of the neighborhood.

The suburban design alternative provides the automobile garage as the social and aesthetic face of the house.   When this pattern is made efficient with a push button garage door opener, the possibility of neighborhood interactions is lost.   The result is neighborhoods devoid of social connection and supportive interactions.  

The New American Landscape advocates for the front porch as one design feature that can breathe life into community fitness.  As a spatial element, the front porch is a smart ingredient that allows connections to occur naturally.   When community interactions are vibrant the result is often neighborhoods that become the most desirable places to live.

See a collection of front porch ideas and inpiration in the Lifestyle Section / Eco-Living Page of The New American Landcape Channel.  Scroll down to the slide show player and see my favorite front porch images.

If you concur with these thoughts, leave your comments below and use your voice to promote the development of vibrant communities.