Exterior Architectural Plans

When we decided to buy the house, we knew it had some great potential and we had some initial ideas for making it more modern, open and light filled. We also had an architecture firm in mind, Concepts and Contours, from looking at properties in Arlington for more than a few years, having seen some amazing houses built or renovated by the firm. So when we closed on the house we hoped that C&C would be willing to take on a smaller, less traditional design than most we've seen them do. The architect, Bruce Deutsch, walked through the property at the inspection. We weren't certain that he'd take our relatively small house and project, but he seemed intrigued by taking on a mid-century era brick rambler that would lean toward mid-century modern if we could make some thoughtful changes. Fortunately, soon after we were off and running with Bruce as our architect. 


At the outset, we knew we'd need at least "a few" upgrades:  new kitchen and baths, hardwood floors, new windows, doors and roof, and most other cosmetic finishes. We also wanted to expand out the back to give us more space in the master bedroom and bath. Mike also had the idea to make the ceiling of the living room (which is a gable roof running perpendicular to the main roof line) into a vaulted ceiling to give us more vertical space there. 


With that general list of requests, Bruce began working on sketches and ideas. Over the past 3-4 weeks he has developed multiple options and we've met a few times to review the evolving plans. The latest (and nearly final) version is here, and it's shaping up to be more than we expected. These are the exterior drawings, I'll post the interior plans next. 

FRONT ELEVATION
The front will stay largely the same, except for the roof line of the living room that rises over the ridge of the existing roof. We'll add cedar siding to the porch inset to tie-in the additions in the rear, and a possible expanded front porch (will look different than pictured). 






REAR ELEVATION
The living room will retain the brick chimney, while the ceiling will be raised about a half story, with a hip roof. The earlier designs called for a curved metal roof (cool but not our style) and then a flat roof with a parapet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parapet). The third version pictured in the drawing above is our favorite, and it also creates a 12' ceiling for both the dining and living room, something the other designs did not allow. On the left side of the drawing, the expanded master bedroom setting area is 12' W x 14' D and has a 9' window. To the right of the setting area is an expanded master bath--the three clerestory windows will bring great natural light into the bathroom (the large walk-in shower actually). The master bedroom bump-out creates a courtyard patio between that structure and the living room, and there will be an 8' sliding glass door opening onto the patio from both sides. 


RIGHT ELEVATION
This view shows the great room in the background, rising above the master bedroom setting area in the foreground. The MBR addition will have a skirt of brick (recycled from the demolition, to match the rest of the house) with cedar siding on top. The existing window in the MBR will be replaced by 2 more modern windows that will flank the bed. Still not in love with the porch design in front, we'll ask Bruce to come up with another option...

RIGHT ELEVATION (MBR addition removed)
This shows the design of the great room addition, which includes an 8' sliding glass door in place of the existing 6' window and a window above. The left elevation of the great room is identical with a sliding glass door and window above.