Integrated Upgrades: Three Renovations in One
When our clients purchased their split-level home in Richmond, Virginia, in the summer of 2022, they saw the potential for a few key upgrades to make their home both functional and stylish.
Built in 1958 and updated inside just before it went on the market, the house had plenty of charm but lacked certain features to suit their lifestyle. They reached out to us in spring 2023 with a vision: covered parking, a screen porch, and a main-level powder room addition. By blending our modern approach and appreciation for era-appropriate architecture with their specific needs, we enhanced the livability of the home through three distinct projects, all completed by May of 2024.
1. A Sleek New Carport
Our clients wanted a covered parking area that offered protection from the elements but didn’t feel enclosed like a garage, which would have been unusual for a home from that time period. We designed and built a modern carport with a striking roofline, exposed steel structure, and integrated storage area, all situated on the existing driveway.
The larger roof overhangs, paired with the steel and natural Cumaru wood materials, give the carport a sleek, contemporary design but also provide a functional overhang protection along the outside of the structure.
To enhance the space’s natural light, we installed Velux Sun Tunnels, a feature we’ve used successfully in past projects and love for their sustainability and low maintenance.
2. A Screen Porch & Landing Transformation
The original backyard deck, while functional, didn’t align with the clients’ aesthetic or provide the kind of outdoor living space they envisioned for themselves.
We removed the old wooden deck and replaced it with a new screen porch featuring aluminum-framed screen panels by Screeneze. This system allowed us to create large, uninterrupted views of the outdoors. For the porch decking, we chose Azek, a maintenance-free PVC product made from recycled materials, ensuring durability and sustainability.
A custom-fabricated aluminum railing system, finished in white powder coating with horizontal pickets, complements the porch’s clean lines. The landing and staircase were rebuilt to tie the design together seamlessly, completing the backyard’s fresh look.
3. Powder Room Addition
The absence of a bathroom on the main living level was a key challenge for this home’s layout. To address this, we designed a 5’x7’ powder room addition tucked into a corner along the side of the house. Using an existing doorway as the entry point, we ensured the addition blended naturally with the home’s architecture. The new powder room is a functional yet stylish space that enhances the home’s usability for both the homeowners and their guests.
Materials That Matter
The choice of materials was critical to achieving the clients’ desired modern aesthetic while ensuring longevity and sustainability:
Cumaru Wood: Known for its rot resistance, Cumaru was the natural choice for exterior applications. We sealed it with Rubio Monocoat’s Exterior Wood Finish Sealer, a low-VOC oil finish that not only protects but also highlights the wood’s natural beauty.
Exposed Steel Structure: A unique detail for a project of this scale, the steel structure served both a structural and aesthetic purpose, doubling as a finished material.
Azek Decking: Durable, eco-friendly, and maintenance-free, Azek decking was a perfect fit for the screen porch.
Screeneze Screen Panels: These allowed for large, uninterrupted screen panels, enhancing the porch’s open feel.
Custom Aluminum Railings: Locally fabricated, these railings combined strength with sleek modern lines. Typically we install these railings in black, but to keep the color scheme brighter, we went with white, and love how it turned out!
A Unified Design
While three distinct areas were tackled, we approached this project with one, coherent design. This created a seamless integration of new and old. The sleek line roofs and overhangs, exposed steel structure, and natural wood materials tied everything together, resulting in a harmonious blend of form and function.