Overall character. When we review building plans, we look for designs that take traditional elements reflecting the special climate and culture of coastal Florida and give them a contemporary flair. We want visitors to enjoy the unique experience of being here, rather than anywhere else on earth. We also look for buildings that reflect accurately and clearly the uses that they house. Industrial functions, for example, are best reflected by simple structures, but even these can and should be attractive.

Building Orientation. It is important to orient buildings so that they provide an attractive appearance from the principle roadways that pass by and through Port Canaveral.

Traditional building elements. Among the traditional elements that might be included in your building design are basic symmetrical forms with attached sheds, porticos, verandas, balconies and awnings; railings and gates; shutters; gabled and hipped roofs; post and piling supports exposed under or along the edge of buildings; tall window and door openings; use of wood, heavy timbers, metal for roofs and walls, stucco.

Contemporary elements. Where appropriate, we encourage designs to incorporate transparency (large open areas with glazed openings that showcase functions and invite visitors in); long-span construction (which results in efficient buildings for industrial, maritime and commercial uses); and the use of durable modern materials (but avoiding pre-formed shaped fiberglass reinforced panels, reflective glass, reflective metallic panels, opaque curtain wall materials or pre-textured plywood panels).

Colors. Principal building elements should be clad predominantly in light colors and pastel tones, with primary colors limited to ornamentation and signage.

The Cove

Architecture is especially important to the successful development of the Cove Phase II area as a unique waterfront district with a dense mix of water-dependent and tourism-related uses. There are specific goals that impact designs for this area. To encourage pedestrian traffic, we look for elements such as awnings and porticos to create shaded and inviting walking areas. To distinguish the different usages here and create interesting visual diversity, we recommend using the following design elements in specific building types:

Restaurants – porches, verandas, large roof overhangs and interesting roof forms to provide entry and waiting space for patrons
Retail establishments – significant amounts of glazing and generous porches, overhangs or awnings to invite window shopping
Marinas – simple materials and forms with visual variety along major approaches created by windows, bays, openings and other elements
Entertainment – port imagery and maritime materials such as sails, lines, spars and metal
Hotels – stepped elements, bays, porticos, porches and other elements oriented toward the views and expressive of the coastal location.