Case Study: Total Home Renewal
Our clients were interested in relocating from a traditional two-story colonial-style home into a larger home with better spaces for their expanding family and visiting guests. The existing 47-year-old brick rambler was chosen, with the Realtor's and our guidance, for its 3/4-acre lot and wide views of the neighborhood. While the existing structure was sound and provided a good base for construction, it required a total renovation to achieve all the functional requirements. We were confident that it could support all the design objectives and be transformed into the owner's dream retirement home.
The owner's primary goal was to build a home with the main living spaces and bedrooms on the first floor. Their day-to-day living and entertaining revolved around the kitchen, so it needed to be a focal point of the design. The solution was to create logical traffic flow into the family room and entertaining spaces for a comfortable, yet open floor plan. A luxurious master suite with laundry facilities and generous closets was also important. Further, the owners wanted the garage moved around the side of the house to improve the front elevation. Expansive living and entertainment spaces were added to the first floor. To provide even more space, as well as increase the value of the home, a second level with two additional bedrooms and a large full bath was constructed.
Thorough up-front planning with the owner's involvement at all stages kept the project moving through tight budget constraints and difficult winter weather. The final design, with its shingle-style architecture was a good fit with the owner's personal style and with that of the surrounding neighborhood. The finished square footage of the original home was more than doubled while keeping the apparent massing as small as possible. Multiple gables, beautiful windows, and a mix of natural textures provide this dramatic home a unique place in an evolving neighborhood.
703-242-9818
