Rebirth

REBIRTH

 

DESIGN

Goals

The “home built” passive solar configuration of this existing home presented poorly proportioned interior spaces, untenable temperature and moisture swings, and off beat exterior expression (See ‘Before’ image). Design goals included interior reconfiguration to produce appealing light-filled spaces, a livable plan, and a clean contemporary aesthetic befitting the owners’ taste. The central design challenge was to create a consequential rebirth of the house on a minimal construction budget.

Solution

To hit the cost target, design strategy utilized the original building footprint and large portions of the original form. Aside from new fenestration and siding, the garage, the mud-room link connecting house to garage, and the north half of the house shell were retained. Interior alterations within existing volume yielded a comfortable master suite, guest quarters, and office space.

This approach allowed the architect to channel a majority of the construction budget toward substantial improvements to the main living spaces and to the predominant new south elevation. The main entrance was recessed for practicality and visual emphasis; it gains storm/security protection in the owner’s absence via a pair of barn-style sliding doors. The new roof form yielded soaring interior volumes that include an open ceiling over the dining/kitchen area.

A favorite new detail in this residence are the wide, dark stained floorboards; their hand-sanded finish resulted in a subtly undulated surface serving as counterpoint to the clean “art gallery” walls.

SUSTAINABILITY

This project’s sustainability index ranks high due to the re-use of so much of the original structure. Whole-house energy upgrades where achieved through high-efficiency glazing, improved insulation, lamping, and super-efficient boiler – with heating via energy-frugal radiant floor.

DATA

Completed 2012

Finished Area 3,900 square feet

Total Construction Cost $378,000

 

Architecture or A/E Firm Name

Priestley + Associates Architecture

Architect

John W. Priestley, 3rd

Team

John W. Priestley 3rd, John Ogden, and Richard L. Bernhard

Consultants

Albert P. Putnam PE

Location

Camden, Maine

Client

Name Withheld by Reqest

General Contractor

Taylor-Made Builders - Taylor Martens

Photos