Have a design dilemma? These are the kinds of questions we answer every day… feel free to contact us for a consult or look
for an answer to be posted to our site.
1. I want to add some square footage to my house. Is it better to go up or out if I have the room?
The first thing to consider is how does your house sit on the property. Will an addition fall within the local zoning ordinances, are there any height restrictions? I would suggest bringing a copy of your survey down to the building department to review these questions.
A second floor addition can make good sense if the existing ceiling is designed to support the weight of the new floor or if can be improved with the addition of new floor joists alongside the existing. If stairs can be located so that they do not negatively impact the first floor plan and make for an efficient second floor layout it is a win-win. If the size of the second floor addition
required is a great deal less than than the first floor footprint- then perhaps raising the roof makes the most sense. One thing to avoid is a small full 2 story addition over a large expanse of one story roof, it can look quite clumsy.
2. How can I add on to the back of this house-if it is a complicated roofline?
We see a lot of this in our profession. Some older homes have a series of poorly designed additions at the back of the house, often these are shallow slopes and pose leaky roof problems. Often a new streamlined simple roof can be overbuilt on existing multiple and varying rooflines which cleans up the aesthetics and poor drainage issues.
Keep the 2 Q’s and a C in mind. Quality, Cost, Quantity. These are the only variables that can be manipulated so there must be give and take. If you are absolute about your budget, then establish that and work backward using a budget cost per square foot. An architect can help you establish that as based on comparable projects. Obviously cost savings are associated with simplicity and size. Keep it simple and build what you need. Remember that the one time cost for construction pales in comparison to your ongoing cost for maintenance, utilities and upkeep so think construction budget and long term budget.
Yes, one can’t go around punching holes in walls without consequence but generally a structural header or combination of post, beam and or column can be designed as a solution for most remodeling projects that require opening up an existing wall. Steel beams and or engineered lumber offer working solutions.
Sometimes the most obvious trouble spots are overlooked, you don’t have to put solar panels on the roof to reap the benefits of considering energy saving improvements. One of the simplest and most economical solutions is to add insulation. This is not nearly as glamorous as putting in a geothermal heat plant but can make a big difference in your heating costs. The rim of the house where the foundation meets the floor is a spot that is often overlooked. Caulking and sealing around openings is another simple strategy. Imagine tracing with a pencil the envelope that protects you from the outside world and make a continuous loop. Don’t pick up your pencil to skip off the paper , if you do- those are the spots to reconsider. If there is insulation in your ceiling and you have can lights recessed in the ceiling,you are probably losing indoor air to the outside at those gaps.
Take a week and consider where you spend your time and why. You know your house better than a design professional and you have the right to make that space suit your needs. If resale value is a big consideration- I would not recommend radical changes that impact how the house performs in the long term but, odds are the changes that you may require to make your house work for you, will probably be shared by a prospective homebuyer. If you are frustrated because you have no mud room for back packs or grocery bags, creating such a space will be an asset to the home. Sarah Susanka has written much in her Big House series about defining the space you need. I would suggest reading some of her books or looking at her website or make an appointment for an in house consult.
7. My mother is coming to live with me. How can I accommodate her?
Start with an architect. Guidelines for making spaces accessible are available to help plan the changes and understand the impact and cost. Often subtle changes to doorway width or function combined with building a ramp are necessities. Developing a design that complements the existing house will add long term value to the home rather than appear as an improvised solution that will not appear as an asset to a potential buyer when it comes time to sell.
It may be that a reconsideration of the floor layout or how space is utilized will lead to the optimum solution.
8. How can I improve the traffic flow in my kitchen and gain some counter space?
Kitchens are not for cooking anymore, no surely they are for living and entertaining and enjoying the bounty of food and family, whether that is an old or new idea is another matter. The kitchen is one space that deserves design because of the complexity of the ingredients. Like a good recipe, the components can be there but if the recipe is not mixed and executed by a competent chef, it won’t taste good. Let us show off our skills in design, cabinetry, finishes, fixtures and traffic flow to help you design a tasty kitchen.
Yes, for every problem there is a solution. Houses need balance, proportion and harmony of scale. If you turn in the driveway and think “ man my house is ugly” Let an architect show you some ideas for a facelift. Giving your house curb appeal will not only make you feel good about coming home but it will likely increase your property values and make for friendlier neighbors. See some of our transformations in Before and After.
We have all seen a house, where it is apparent that the garage was converted to living space and it is often a practical solution. Let us make sure it looks as seamless as you desire and that it is done correctly so you can enjoy the space.
11. I’d like to add a home office, what should I consider?
The home office can take many shapes and forms. It need not take much space as witnessed by the concise home office designed for Buffalo Junior League Showhouse 2009. Let us help identify the most appropriate place and the requirements, whether it’s an office for visiting customers or simply a study for catching up on business after hours. Well designed storage and furniture selected to do double duty and possess the right scale is just as important as room size. We offer interior design services.
