Massing

Massing is the overall configuration of a house—its basic shape, scale, volume, and height. Depending on the architectural style, the configuration can range from a simple rectangular block to a more complex, asymmetrical assemblage of blocks. Porches, dormers and bump-outs, roof profiles, and the number of stories impact the massing of a house. Mass is important to consider when thinking about a building in the context of the neighborhood or about the compatibility of an addition.