Porch Reconstruction
November 1, 2011
PROJECT: Remove existing structural damage to install new foundation and structural deck (while supporting existing finished roof and porch finishes).
BEFORE:
AFTER:
MAINTENANCE FREE EXTERIOR:
- Porch Deck & Structural Members are Pressure Treated Lumber
- Exposed Trim is Azek(TM) Brand Vinyl Composite
- Railings are Painted Aluminum
- (under-porch storage access through hidden hinged panel)
Exterior Vinyl Trim Products
October 19, 2011
- Architectural Vinyl Trim
Modern vinyl trim is becoming more like a “carpentry” material (cut, shape, mill and paint).
PROBLEM: 5 Years after new construction (by another contractor) the trim on this otherwise beautiful home began to rot.
CAUSE: Flashing, caulking, priming and installation issues resulted in otherwise preventable damage.
SOLUTION: Remove all rotted exterior trim and install new architectural trim (using vinyl, with appropriate caulking/flashing).
The new product is Azek(TM) brand vinyl trim. All trim below the window line (first floor) was replaced with Azek product (and painted to match existing).
The window sills were properly flashed, all window panels installed behind the sill drip line, and all built-up components were caulked excessively.
Water Infiltration is no longer an issue for the interior and the elements are no longer an issue for exterior rot.
The transition between the two finished products is not visible to the eye and the homeowner now has a lifetime product.
PROGRESS PHOTOS:
Basement Remodel
July 15, 2011
Homeowner requested design and consultation on a “Do It Yourself” project.
The layout had to acommodate 7 distinct spaces:
- Workout Space
- Media Room
- Office / Editing Space
- Music Rehearsal Space for the kids
- Bathroom
- Workshop (unfinished storage)
- Pantry (unfinished storage)
I designed a floorplan to best utilize the space, created a materials list, budget and delivered all information for the Homeowner to begin scheduling the work.
Homeowner executed the bulk of the work with help from friends.
I was available to solve any problems arising out of the design or complications in construction.
Later, I stepped in to do some of the finishing touches myself.
FLOOR PLAN:
CONCEPT RENDERING:
PROGRESS PHOTO:
Custom Entertainment Center Credenza
(hinged top and drawer slides on all shelves):
…still some carpet and a few finishing details to go.
Homeowner added about 900SF of livable space.
New Full Bathroom:
Residential Addition
July 1, 2011
Homeowner wanted to add a Garage and Recreational Space to their existing colonial style home.
Because the addition was going to be almost equal in size to the existing home, I offset the roof lines subtly and made best use of interior floor height difference for exterior height differences. The roof lines create some negative space and keep the home from looking like a giant box.
I think every home should have some personality and curb appeal (though I’m a much bigger fan of “Couch Appeal” for budgetary considerations). In this case, the perception of the “large home” was reduced by bringing roof lines closer to the ground, creating shadows and adding personality (the intention was to slowly bring the building back to eye level as it expanded outward…making it more inviting from the street). Off-setting the two structures prevented the front wall from being one continuous line of siding (this subtle “bump-in” occurs on the interior as well, where the “reading knook” is on the second floor above the main entrance).
Some minor engineering was required to satisfy some cantilevering for the upper floors.
BEFORE
AFTER
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
(sometimes I still prefer to draw by hand):
Neighboring Property
Note: Part of my design process included roaming the neighborhood for similar homes (in order to prevent the design from pricing the home out of the future market). I wanted to keep within the general neighboring styles but also make sure my client ended up with something truly unique. The picture to the right is one neighbor’s home that I used as a benchmark for not exceeding a ”perceived size”:
Ultimately this project ended up having more square footage than any neighboring property, but it still looks like it belongs in the quaint surroundings of this development (humbly, I think it is now the most attractive property in the neighborhood).
Windows & Doors
March 25, 2011
…some pictures from recent energy tax credit eligible projects:
Cozy Kitchen
March 25, 2011
This small residential kitchen was a basic conversion from old to new, with only a few custom elements – oak cabinets, laminate countertops (with beveled oak edge). A little manipulation of “this old house” was required to make everything function the way it should and integrate the new finishes:
Residential Remodel – Dartmouth, MA
March 19, 2011
BEFORE
CONCEPTUAL RENDERING
WORK BEGINS…
