Looking Ahead: 2016
We had the great honor of working on 35 different project in 2015.
But as we progressed through the year, we noticed that our projects began to move from smaller, one-room updates and renovations to larger whole-house remodels. In many cases we took these houses down to the studs to restore their structural integrity and improve their energy efficiency.
The great thing about the design/build process is that it’s just as effective for small or large projects. However, for large projects, it’s particularly useful because we can really think of the home holistically, factoring in the sustainability and long-term effects of every design choice we make. Being in control of the design, planning and construction of a large project eliminates confusion, miscommunication and reduces the time it takes to complete it.
With this shift to larger projects, we may be taking on fewer projects overall. So while we may not have 35 homes or designs to tell you about at the end of this year, the range and scope of each project will likely be bigger, grander and more exciting than ever. With that in mind, we have a couple projects coming up that we are really excited to get started on and to share with you over the next several months.
Net Zero Apartment to Single Family Conversion
This five-unit apartment on Hanover Avenue in the historic Fan neighborhood was built in 1911. It is currently divided up into five apartments, but we, along with the clients who purchased the home, are excited to convert this beautiful home back into its original single-family design.
In addition to restoring the historic integrity of the building, the clients are particularly interested in making the home as sustainable as possible. This renovation will be a net-zero energy renovation, which means the amount of energy used by the home on an annual basis will be equal to the amount of renewable energy created in or around the house. The home will achieve this through a high energy HVAC system, lots of new insulation, a well-sealed building envelope which prevents drafts, LED light fixtures, a tankless hot water heater and Energy Star appliances.
For this remodel we will be gutting the building and constructing nearly everything from the ground up including brand new energy systems, fixtures, and everything else you can think of. The clients came to us because they wanted to spruce up what had become a sort of eyesore on that particular block, and they wanted someone who had the design and build capabilities since they knew the house was going to need so much work. They’re also excited to have a space that will be completely customized to their needs, sustainability goals, and of course - their budget.
Addition and Carriage House
For this project, we’re working on N. 27th Street in the historic Church Hill neighborhood on a home that was built in 1850. This is one of the oldest homes we’ve worked on (although not the oldest - we once worked on a home built in the 1700’s!). We are excited to do the design and build for an addition to the main house as well as a brand new carriage house behind the main house for this client.
The clients are excited to move out of the suburbs into a charming, historic neighborhood that has seen so much growth and improvement in the past several years. The client chose us for these two projects because of our experience with historic homes, additions and because of our design/build capabilities.
This is a complex project for many reasons beyond the size and scope. The house sits on a corner lot, which makes putting an addition and a new structure on the lot a little more complicated. In addition, the ground floor of the home will be a separate apartment that they will use for rental income, so the home needs to be logically separated and have private entrances. And because the house is in a historic district, any changes will require approval from the various city review boards, which we have lots of experience with. Finally, the home has undergone lots of “add ons” that need to be undone before making this space functional and beautiful once again.
While both of these projects have their complexities, we are excited to put our skills to work on all the challenges they present. We truly believe, and our clients agree, that the design/build process is the best choice for renovations of this size and complexity because everyone needs to be on the same page from day one until the project is complete. Renovations and remodels are often more difficult to plan for and work through than a new construction build, but we love the challenge of finding the right solution for every client, while making their homes more beautiful, sustainable places to live.