Original front. The absence of an overhang at the front door results in an ungracious entry. Also note the mismatched slopes of the front and rear roofs.
The design process explored all possible locations for an addition -- front, sides, rear, and 2nd floor. Ultimately, it was decided that the primary addition should occur at the rear, where advantage could be taken of the rear yard amenities -- sun, a view of the Neponset River, trees, and access to children's play areas. This also would allow the front of the house to remain relatively unchanged and thereby compatible with its modest neighbors.
Original Rear. An unengaging and very tall facade, despite the house being only 1 story high in the front. Small windows negate potentially dramatic views of the rear yard and Neponset River, below.
The scheme that emerged expresses two different contrasting sensibilities -- a house front that is clearly of the street, and a house rear that is clearly of the yard. Although many houses today exhibit a front/rear dichotomy, we sought to do so in an integrated rather than schizophrenic way. See "Unity of the whole" at right for further explanation.
"Of the yard": New Rear Addition
(shown under construction)
A two-story addition was
constructed in the rear yard to house a family room and master
bedroom. The
window sizes and placements were created to address unique conditions:∙ The tall casement window at upper left is a corner unit which continues onto the adjacent facade. It opens into the boughs of a large tree to provide a “treehouse” reading corner in the master bedroom.
∙ The window at the
upper
right "picture-frames" a view of the Neponset
River as one enters the master bedroom.
∙ A “birding window” at lower left permits views of an avian feeder from a seated position in the family room.
∙ The large triple windows allow views from the kitchen and family room to an outdoor children’s play area (at right, just beyond limits of this photo) and to the river (behind the photographer).
∙ A “birding window” at lower left permits views of an avian feeder from a seated position in the family room.
∙ The large triple windows allow views from the kitchen and family room to an outdoor children’s play area (at right, just beyond limits of this photo) and to the river (behind the photographer).
"Of the street": Updated Front
(shown under construction)
The
owners wished that the
front of their house remain in step with
the similarly modest neighboring houses. In lieu of a full porch
-- a
potential
overstatement -- metal-roofed aprons were provided over
the doors. The vinyl siding was removed in favor of cement-fiber
clapboards. (Note: Painting and planting were not completed at
time of photo. Final photos to come.) Unity of the whole: The "Hug"
As this early
design sketch shows, the existing rear dormer roof was extended
downward to cap a feature window in the family room and "hug" the
2-story addition. In this way, a house that addresses different
sensibilities on the street front and rear yard was integrated
into a compositional whole. The hug serves several other purposes: It reduces the apparent height of the addition – for comparison, note the overtall original rear elevation in photo at left. It provides valuable sun shading in the summer (note photo below) while allowing warming rays penetrate the interior during cold New England winters. Finally, the hug is a metaphor: The older, traditional house (representing the parents) embraces the younger, contemporary addition (representing the children). Perhaps the articulation of the braces and rafters vaguely suggests hands or fingers?
Arched perforated skylight baffle: The new Breakfast Room, “landlocked” between the kitchen, loggia, mud room, and garage, has no windows to the exterior. A skylight was provided in the space, under which an arched, perforated metal baffle will be hung. The baffle will filter light from the skylight and lend shape and atmosphere to this centrally located space. (photo forthcoming)
Loggia: Shelves
line the loggia and extend
into the family room to provide an entertainment center. The
loggia "penetrates" the family room, emerging on the other side to
provide a translucent picture window and a new basement stair. (photo forthcoming)Floor Plans
If you've ever lived in or attended a social gathering in a small house, you know that one person standing in the wrong place can clog up traffic everywhere. This consideration, combined with an off-handed observation by the owners that they needed a house more suited to playing tag with the kids, led to the development of a floor plan with multiple routes of travel and rooms with at least two entry/egress points. Active kids (and adults) can now run through every space on the first floor without disturbing the central food prep area, from which mom and dad can easily supervise activity.
In the front of the house, a sitting/ office/ guest room provides quiet refuge for adults. The family room addition thrusts into the rear yard, taking advantage of woods and water views. A play space has been created in an existing room at far left of plan, while a one-story addition between the house and garage, provides a mud space and breakfast room.
