Post by Catarina Ferreira, AIA

At archi-TEXTUAL we like to refer to a project's set of conditions and constraints as 'TEXT.' What exactly do we mean?

Design for us is about synthesis, much like writing a research paper. First we observe, we gather information, we learn about the subject (site, building, client, etc). Slowly a gestural, common sense response to the text emerges. You could call it a thesis of sorts, or, as many architects refer to it, a parti. From there, various elements start falling into place and reinforcing that thesis, so that what emerges in the end is clear, coherent and legible. That is our goal. Do we actually pull it off?

Let's use our recently completed Annapolis Renovation project as case study.

The existing 1974 house, in an heavily wooded site in Annapolis MD, had great text already: thoroughly a 1970's Brady Bunch type modern, with the carpeted stairs, the sunken conversation pit, the vertical (drab) grey painted cedar siding. It could only get more interesting.

the house pre-surgery, w/ garage in front

Our clients were interested in maintaining the flair of the house, while addressing its perceived problems: the heaviness of the roof lines, the awkward entrance between two volumes, under a bridge, and the visual lack of a proper front door (the garage was the welcoming committee) , the outdated interior spaces, the structural issues, etc. The house had many problems... the budget was tight (as always!). What could we do? In addition to addressing all of these problems, our clients also had a very green agenda.

In order to maximize the bang for the buck while addressing the various issues listed above, we decided to use surgery as a strategy. Roofs were lifted in strategic portions of the house, dramatically change it's massing and creating more open living spaces and master suite, for example; the two separate volumes were connected by a new entrance volume with a very welcoming front door; the dated staircase was replaced with a new one but the opening reaming unchanged, decreasing the need for structural alterations; the sunken conversation pit and hot tub removed, creating a larger, more open living room.

Other textual layers were added on: a love for the color red, glass railings, and raw black steel; a desire for a taller ceiling in the kitchen/dining area; a desire for an entrance that made a statement. A house with a distinct identity started to emerge during design development, and remained pretty much the same through completion, despite cost/value driven concessions.

What we ended up with in the end is perhaps more interesting than if we had designed a new house from scratch, and the old house is still there somewhere. Hopefully it speaks for itself, so I will now let the photos do the talking...

For more photographs of the finished house, go here.

Post by Catarina Ferreira, AIA

Last summer we completed the renovation of our Brookland House project, with J.Allen Smith Design/Build as the General Contractor. It was a complex project. The age of the house and the fact that it was balloon framed presented some challenges, but all is well that ends well.

We recently stopped by for a pre-shoot. A more comprehensive professional photo shoot will be done in the Spring once the landscaping phase is completed.

Here are some before/after shots illustrating the transformation that the house underwent

At the front of the house, windows, front door and siding were modified/replaced, the front porch was updated with cedar trim and wider steps.

At the rear of the house a new kitchen/family room and master suite were added, to replace a 1950's addition. The footprint of the house did not change, however, which simplified the permitting process.

A two foot wide unsafe stair was replaced with a centrally located stair that became the organizing element of the new house. An existing long front hall and compartmentalized spaces were transformed to an open plan through the removal of several load-bearing walls which we replaced with new flush beams.

A retro kitchen was replaced with an efficient new kitchen opening onto the family room and new exterior deck (note the pantry under the stair landing).

See more photos of the finished house, renderings and construction photos HERE!