Maintaining Architectural Character
It's a common
sight. As we drive down a tree-lined street in an older
neighborhood, there's a house with an addition or obvious remodel
that doesn't look quite right. Maybe the materials don't match the
original house or the addition looks stuck on. Perhaps the style of
the new section is out of character or out of proportion to the rest
of the home's architectural elements. Whatever the reason or cause,
a remodeling job that looks like a remodeling job does
little for the value of the house and may degrade the aesthetic
appeal of the home.
Matching and maintaining the architectural character of a
house is one of the most important measures of success and lasting
value in a major remodeling project, such as a room addition.
Homeowners who decide to modernize or add to their living space
naturally desire to see a return on that investment when they are
ready to sell. An addition that is thoughtfully and seamlessly
integrated into the home's original architectural character -- as
opposed to a tacked-on home office, kitchen expansion, or second
floor -- will not only serve the homeowners' current lifestyle
needs, but reap greater benefits in resale.
Adding more
space to an existing home is an American tradition. Old farmhouses,
for instance, are famous for their multiple room additions.
Alterations responded to the needs of a growing family or new
technology, such as indoor plumbing or central heating. In common
with today's remodeling, those projects were driven by practical
considerations. However, in an earlier time the owners often did the
work themselves, using traditional techniques, materials and forms
consistent with the original craftsmanship. Today we instinctively
respond to the simple integrity of these forms and proportions (even
though we do not want to live with their plumbing). We perceive the
comfort to be derived from properly proportioned space and the
harmonious character of a house.
Professional remodelers offer skilled, in-house residential
designers, or have trusted contacts with residential designers or
architects, who can solve both the aesthetic and practical
challenges of a room addition or remodeling project. In this
"design-build" collaboration, the remodeler and design professional
confer on all aspects of the project. The "design-build" model helps
to ensure that a new or expanded space delivers value on several
levels and, more important, does not detract from the
character and inherent value of the existing home.
A key element in
the success of a remodeling project is understanding that each house
-- and the proposed remodeling job -- is unique. At the same time,
there are basic architectural truisms regarding proportion, scale,
and forms that apply to every building. Whether the house is a Cape
Cod or a Ranch, there are tried-and-true ways to add space and
design elements (e.g., dormers) that are appropriate to that
style. For this reason, your professional remodeler and their
designer/architect work together to ensure this uniqueness comes to
life.
Warm
regards,
 
John Todd
Elite
Remodeling
Showroom & Design Center
2930 Preston
Road, Suite 980
Frisco, Texas, 75252
(972) 334-9800 -
phone
(972) 334-9890 - fax
jtodd@elitehomeremodeling.com
www.elitehomeremodeling.com
c. 2009 All
rights reserved.
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