An interesting addition and successful trans formation of the exterior aesthetics of the original award winning home. The new brickwork adds warmth to the exterior, harmonizes with the newly painted siding and the home sits comfortably in its wooded environment

More than a decade after designing the original award-winning house in an historic community, the architect and his wife, an artist and the home's Interior designer, wanted an addition for informal family gatherings. In contrast to the original house which was designed with excessive order and openness, including many open railings with substantial drops to the floor below, the addition was to provide a safe, corralled space to accommodate the exuberance of the couple’s grandchildren. The couple also wanted additional space to store their growing book collection, and a small work space for the architect.

The original house - a series of boxes, each with No own purpose - was built on a sharp slope, integrated into a densely wooded site. The only option for the addition was in front of the house. Given the passage of time, the couple didn't think it was appropriate to slavishly copy to existing house. Still, they wanted to retain some of its character.

Compounding the conflict between their desire for both control and change, the couple wanted the design of the new family room to be a collaboration of ideas between the older and younger generations. Working with their daughter and son-in-law, both architects as well as the grandchildren's parents, a simple, one room, 800 sf tube of space was created. The tube, open on its ands, and perpendicular to the main entrance spine of the house, which cuts through It creating clerestory lighting in the process. Pocketed doors restrain the grandchildren and keep them from failing through to many openings to the floor below throughout the existing house.

In order to maintain the original drainage patterns of the site, the addition is lifted up, allowing the natural run-off of water underneath it.

Because of its orientation, the finish of the wood front of the existing house, where the addition was planned, was continually delaminating from the effects of weather. Masonry was chosen for to addition because of its durability. The character of the brick was enhanced by ornamental patterns created with Flemish bond, projections and recesses forming varying patterns, all of which catch the sun in many ways.

The brick was originally intended to be painted white to match the existing structure, but the couple decided they liked the red color and opted to change the whole demeanor of the house by painting it a brick red.

Although completely different, the new building engages with its surroundings as successfully as to original house did. Where the original house had a private front with main views to the woods in back, the addition provides new side views out both ends of the tube.

Once the couple embraced changes to the exterior, they were open to changes on the interior as well. Rather than continuing the wood flooring throughout the existing house, the Inclusion of a fireplace as a focal point of the family room prompted the introduction of a new floor material. Since the wood floor in the foyer was difficult to keep clean, the stone used in the hearth was extended to the floor. The stone cuts through the new family room diagonally from the foyer, providing an interesting yet orderly transition between In old and the now spaces.

Departing from the pristine white of In existing interior walls, the addition incorporates nearly 70 lineal feet of custom made wooden shelves and storage cubes stained a cheery yellow. This is also the only room In the house with antique elements (a new interest of the interior designer wife), including the 1890s oak mantel which was found at an architectural salvage shop.