My business, ten seventy architecture, takes on a lot of residential additions / remodels.  Depending on what type of addition / remodel + where it can be located relevant to you existing home, there are generally 2 option for architectural style:

1. match your homes existing architectural style (part II)
2. modify your homes existing architectural style

Generally I’d recommend considering how a well designed contemporary or modern addition / remodel could improve the functional components of your home.  In some cases we’re restricted from doing this b/c of an HOA, the client’s budget (reinterpreting a style can be more expensive b/c of aesthetic modification elsewhere then the addition), zoning, or the planned size / program of an addition.  In these cases I’d recommend to option #1, matching architectural style.  This can be done but not without a clear understanding of your home, the respective architectural style, + the elements that make this style.

One project which I’d like to use to explain this is the Rancho Santa Fe Residence.  The existing home is a Ranch which is protected by the local HOA restrictions.  Characteristics of Ranch homes include:

• low profile elevations
• sprawling, single floor plans
• low hanging eaves
• restrained ornamentation
• clear separation of public + private interior spaces

For this project we planned a kitchen / living room renovation + exterior improvements that were consist w/ this style.  The kitchen renovation included a ceiling modification to define a new oversized island as a point of destination within the home.  Restoring the kitchen to the central gathering point of the home/family.

We had previously designed other ceiling details for the formal living room + dining room (which you can see here) so the kitchen + informal living room needed a different ceiling to suggest a different type of space.  Formal v. informal.

Staying within the Ranch style we designed the ceiling w/ a pitch + exposed tie beams.  The ceiling pitch was designed to match the existing roof line + the tie beams were left in the original locations + capped w/ a finished wood veneer.  By keeping the existing roof lines in the ceiling we’re respecting the existing home, using the classic pitches seen in Ranch style, + establishing a relationship w/ the exterior + interior.  It’s very subtle, but as someone approaches the home they see the roof then when the enter the kitchen they are reminded of this which can make a visitor feel more comfortable.  The tie beams are actually structural, therefore functional.  Functional design is my first tendency as a modernist but demonstrating the structure reinforces an understanding of the reason the home is standing.  This will lead to further comfort in addition to interest + a great opportunity for ceiling lighting, accents, colors which the interior designer did a great job designing.

The exterior trellis then plays into this ceiling detail while doing a whole lot of other important things like reducing interior glare, framing the desired view, + creating transitional space (which I think is critical linkage between interior/exterior space).  You can see all of the concepts of this trellis here.

Click here for info on how to match architectural styles for addition.  

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My business, ten seventy architecture, takes on a lot of residential additions / remodels.  Depending on what type of addition / remodel + where it can be located relevant to you existing home, there are generally 2 option for architectural style:

1. match your homes existing architectural style (part I)
2. modify your homes existing architectural style

Generally I’d recommend considering how a well designed contemporary or modern addition / remodel could improve the functional components of your home.  In some cases we’re restricted from doing this b/c of an HOA, the client’s budget (reinterpreting a style can be more expensive b/c of aesthetic modification elsewhere then the addition), zoning, or the planned size / program of an addition.  In these cases I’d recommend to option #1, matching architectural style.  This can be done but not without a clear understanding of your home, the respective architectural style, + the elements that make this style.

If you haven’t already read part I, it’s about matching architectural styles in remodels.  Click here to read it.

A 2nd project I’d like to cite is the Solana Beach Residence.  This project included a 500sf addition of 2 bedrooms / 1 bathroom.  The existing home was a poorly designed Ranch.  You can see the components that make up a Ranch home here.  A developer had built dozens of this model all over the neighborhood + the HOA was currently very restrictive, allowing specific styles of architecture only.

The existing home had a Spanish tile roof which was out of character for Ranch homes.  Our 1st step was to replace the roofing material.  Next we planned the addition within the Ranch style, using low eaves, matching pitched roofs, single floor layout, + reduced ornamentation.

There were a few techniques we used to integrate the addition w/ the existing home.  The front of the home has a new roof pitch which symbolically matches that of the addition in the rear.  This new roof pitch provides a well needed dynamic to the existing, overbearing roof.  So we’re improving curb appeal within the style + better integrating the addition.

2nd, we’ve relocated the entrance to the existing master bedroom to the same corridor as the new bedrooms (in the addition).  So we’re grouping + separating our private areas of the home from the public areas.  In addition, this master bedroom entry mirrors the master bathroom access on the opposite side of the master bedroom further integrating the addition.  This is easily visible on the project plans here.

Click here for info on how to match an existing architectural style for remodels.  

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My business, ten seventy architecture, takes on a lot of residential additions / remodels.  Depending on what type of addition / remodel + where it can be located relevant to you existing home, there are generally 2 option for architectural style:

1. match your homes existing architectural style (part I), (part II)
2. modify your homes existing architectural style

In some cases a project has the ability to change architectural styles.  Contrary to previous posts on matching existing architectural styles, the Serra Mesa Residences has all the components to reinterpret the architectural style.

• the project included a 500sf addition  An addition means there will be a new roofline introduced to the home.  Rooflines are one of the most important components of architectural styles.

• no restrictive HOA  This one needs no explanation.  If you’ve purchase a home within an HOA area you entered into an agreement to keep your home within a preset list of guidelines + approvals.  This is intended to keep the neighborhood uniform for better or worse, but that is a conversation for another post.

• ability to place the addition in the front yard  Changing the front facade of the home is the best way to change the architectural style of the existing home.

• challenging setback angle  When the angles of exterior walls are forced to be a-typical you’re headed in the direction of a Contemporary home already.

• new roof surface  A new roof was part of the project.  We used this as an opportunity to change to a standing seam metal roof which is far better for the environment (recyclable, lower heat gain/transfer, superior life cycle), allows for safe water reclamation, + fits the contemporary style perfectly.

• flexibility of floor plan relationships (public/private spaces)  We were able to pull the master bedroom entry to an area of the home away from the other 2 bedrooms.  Essentially creating a master suite wing, perfect for empty nest clients.

• open-minded clients  Most of us grew up in typical or traditional homes.  To make a drastic change to your home, the neighborhood, + your everyday life takes courage.

So the project was perfectly suitable for a new Contemporary aesthetic. You can see the process we used to accomplish this here.

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This is the location of a trellis structure I’ve been commissioned to design.  The trellis will be constructed overhead of the picture, looking in the direction of the photo.  After careful consideration, there is a few conceptual points I’d like to accomplish.

• frame the view of the pool
• eliminate the focal point of the existing telephone pole, focus on the door
• reduce excessive solar glare on interior
• provide transitional (covered exterior) space between interior + exterior
• relate back to the interior kitchen / living room remodel (also part of the project

I’ll post more on this project as the design develops + construction begins.  Stay tuned..

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