CELEBRATE THE PORCH

By Deborah Jackson
      Webster defines porch as "a covered area adjoining an entrance to a building and usually having a separate roof". It is a place of protection from the sun and rain. Typically its unified with the rest of the house architecturally by using similar design elements as the rest of the structure and may be integrated into the roofline or upper stories. Many Redondo Beach homes, especially the Craftsman and Victorian homes from the late 1890's to the mid-1920's, featured large front porches.
      A porch, however, is more than just an architectural attribute. It welcomes visitors. It is a preview of the rest of your home. Most importantly, it facilitates interaction among neighbors. Something about a porch invites you to relax, sit a while and enjoy the scenery.
      Unfortunately, many American homes built since the 1940’s do not contain porches, or if they have a porch, it is only a token one, too small for comfortable social use and adding only to the visual impression of the structure. Redondo has also seen a decline in homes with porches. Most post-WWII homes traded porches for square footage and patios at the rear of the property. A few recently built homes have wisely included these charming elements into their design. Several new contemporary Craftsman homes in Redondo, as well as the new Victorian-style townhomes currently being built on Catalina Avenue, feature porches. This new architectureal movement encourages including porches facing the street to help build community ties.
      Let's celebrate the porch. If you are fortunate enough to have one, furnish it with some comfortable chairs and enjoy your morning cup of coffee alfresco. If you are not lucky enough to have a porch, pull out a couple of lawnchairs every now and then and sit in your front yard. Wave to your neighbors and enjoy being a part of this wonderful community.