This period house was
built in 1940. The family needed more bedrooms, with a separation
between the parents and the kids. It was important that any changes as
seen from the front facade appear minimal, to preserve the cottage style
of the home. An unused side porch was removed and two bedroom wings were
added, wrapped around a pecan tree. The parents’ wing, on the other side
of the tree, is accessed by a hallway that runs by the new utility
room/home office. Designated a protected tree by a city ordinance,
working around the old pecan tree presented both design and construction
challenges. Instead of pouring a slab for the addition, a minimum number
of piers were carefully installed so as not to disturb the tree roots.
The front porch was completely rebuilt, with a longer span. Great effort
was made to keep the details true to the period as seen in the metal
roof, Greek returns, front porch columns, and transoms above the master
bath door and the exterior door of the utility room. The result is an
updated cottage, customized for a modern family, with bedrooms for all
and even one for visiting guests.
2014 National Winner
