Bretom public does know better!
Adding right angles above the roof line screams “awkward addition.” That both options are additions is obvious, but #1 really looks like a space grab with no thought to aesthetics. It’s made worse because there isn’t enough space above the windows - that thin slice of siding is an obvious compromise.
I HATE #2.
The perpendicular roof is higher than the main ridgeline, that is going to be a horrible joint, it’s gonna leak.
I don’t like #1 either.
But that’s all the design services you’re getting for free 
Both are stylistic compromises for sure. You’re not wrong in your assessment of 1 but 2 does give off generic duplex beach rental vibes.
I think in this case (apologies to the OP but neither are ideal) functionality is primary, and whatever stylistic compromise is made can be significantly offset by the right choice in materials and color.
I hadn’t even noticed that (weight everything I said above accordingly).
Here is a more detailed work up of #2. It has some details that soften the blow a bit. The roofline on all of them will actually be raised a bit which isnt shown in the original designs
We can’t expand out in any direction due to setbacks so have to go up.
There were actually 5 designs but I shared only what we considered the top 2. I may share all 5 but I think there is likely to be no consensus.
I vote #1.
#2 looks like it should be a side-by-side/attached.
#1
1
Another vote for #2
#1
I’m also an architectural designer.
#1 will provide the best floor space, the roof design is more coherent front to back and it will also perform far better.
#2 looks pasted on and the water will drip right on the front door. Its an akward place to put an eave so that wouldnt solve it either. Could end up leaking if the front door isnt flashed well enough. The roof of the dormers above the main ridge is also problematic from a ventilation amd waterproofing perspective.
I would be curious to see the other three.
Yes, those squares on the top are solar panels. We actually hve plenty of room on the rear roof for enough panels and only need a few on the front, so either design will be fine for that
#1 is somewhat of an interesting design.
#2 is … not. It looks like every other starter home built by Journey.
#2, but it still looks like shit.
Move the door, make it wider, fix the windows so it will actually look like a Cap Cod. Add a full length front porch, run the dormers a couple of feet past the current front wall to give the first story some depth to it.
