Monitor Garages
The Monitor Style - The word, monitor, from Latin, "oversee" , "watch" or "check". So a building with an upper extension partial story with fenestration, a Monitor, would likely express that idea of overseeing, monitoring. This building form originated as early Christian worship halls. The high center section was the gathering space for liturgical proceedings and the lower adjacent, side flanking spaces contained supportive activities and extra seating. The spoken voice carried easily through the greater height center section of the Monitor, without obstructions. This acoustical arrangement later evolved into cathedral forms. The historically familiar building profile also became useful in American agriculture - the same form but with a different purpose. The centered second story loft stored hay and one could unload to a wagon below. The side-flanking sections roofs gave stability to the center loft and also provided extra storage and usable space. Early industry picked up on this basic form as well - again, with different functionality - the center raised roof created side fenestration called clerestory windows and this brought needed natural lighting (and ventilation) into the center of very large factory buildings, before electric lighting was used. This monitor form has imprinted in our history so well that most of us see this as a familiar and attractive shape. The Monitor garage form is not easy to find in building plans but Behm design has several currently available in compact, mid-size and full-size. Though they look very much like the originals they are structurally designed for today's materials, methods and IRC building codes. Also browse our best selection of colonial style garage plans.
