This first step involves looking at the building from a distance. Identifying the overall visual character of a building is nothing more than looking at its distinguishing physical aspects without focusing on its details. Such a general approach to looking at the building and site will provide a better understanding of its overall character without having to resort to an infinitely long checklist of its possible features and details. The major contributors to a building's overall visual character are:

• its shape

• its roof and roof features, such as chimneys or cupolas

• openings for windows and doorways

• the various projections and recesses on the building, such as porches that extend outward, or arcades that appear as voids

• the exterior materials with their color or patterning

• the trim and secondary features, such as decorative scrollwork

• and, finally, the building's site, that is, its immediate yard.

Some buildings will have one or more sides that are more important than the others because they are more highly visible. This does not mean that the rear of the building is of no value whatever, but it simply means that it is less important to the overall character.