Feb
26
2009
The word “renovation” can make even the strongest homeowner shudder. It most likely means living amidst some construction chaos for a bit. But if you love your charmed-filled home or its picturesque location, giving it a facelift to meet your lifestyle needs may very well be worth some headaches.
We often see people wanting to renovate for two main reasons:
- They have a historic home and it’s important to take care of the house, preserving its character and history.
- They need more space. Maybe they love their current home’s location, but the closets are overflowing and the guest room is more “storage” less “guest.”
One option is building an addition to your home. Take a look at your property and figure out if it’s large enough to accommodate another room or two added to the back or side. If you don’t have a great deal of property, the only way to build is up. Building codes, particularly in terms of high wind regulations, can sometimes thwart plans for a second or third floor.
Fortunately, that’s where we architects come in handy. We can translate the building codes and construction jargon to reach a workable solution.
Another consideration is whether your home’s basic systems can handle the added square footage. We advise clients to evaluate their electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems early in the process. You may need to build in money for repairs or system upgrades.
Just as in building a new home, completing a renovation project requires plenty of decision-making. Be sure to check back as we explore additional considerations for your renovation project. And, if you’re looking for inspiration, view before and after photos of some of our renovation projects.
Have a renovation story to tell? Post a comment and share your experiences.
Feb
19
2009
When it comes time to situate a home on a piece of property, a homeowner may only think to consider the view and any physical constraints, such as streets, trees and neighboring properties. But siting, as it’s known in the architectural world, is an important process with a number of considerations that we as architects can help you through.
Taking advantage of the view is important, especially with homes near the ocean or marshes. There’s certainly no point in spending money on a prime piece of real estate to open the blinds of the picture window and see the neighbor’s house or the driveway.
But aside from a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean or the egrets in a Carolina marsh, we can help make a home more efficient simply through the process of siting. For example, you can position a home to encourage natural light, cooling summer breezes and shade along with warm winter sunshine, which can add up to significant energy savings and even make the home a more valuable piece of property.
Architects can take a good look at the new home’s surroundings and any future impact. If the property is near a busy street, it makes sense to put the bedrooms and outside seating areas away from potential noise. We’ve seen many a home that was not situated so ideally. And a home in an existing neighborhood should be placed so it flows with its neighbors. No one wants to be “that house” that sticks out because of awkward siting.
For homes along the coast, it’s important to use an architect who understands shorelines, erosion, coastal flood ordinances and other issues that can affect a waterfront home.
While a homeowner is looking only at outward appearances, an architect who understands the importance of siting sees a variety of factors and can turn them into a home that has great views, is energy efficient and melds into the existing neighborhood. So, when it comes to determining the footprint of your house, site really does matter.
