The clients came requesting a more grand
arrival to their home. They yearned for a large Foyer with a Guest
Closet and the architect listened to their request and designed a jewel.
This lovely home had an existing off-center and set-back entry. The
architect viewed this set-back area as an excellent opportunity to
enclose and add to the interior of the home in the form of a Foyer. With
the front entrance now stepped forward and centered, the addition of an
Arched Portico dressed with stone pavers and tapered columns gave new
life to this home. The final design incorporated and re-purposed many
existing elements. The original home entry and two steps remain in the
same location, but now they are interior elements. The original steps
leading to the front door are now located within the Foyer and finished
with multi-sized travertine tiles that lead the visitor from the Foyer
to the main level of the home. The details for the exterior were also
meticulously thought through. The arch of the existing second story
center dormer was the key to the portico design. Distressed with the
existing combination of “busy” brick and stone on the façade of the
home, the architect designed a quieter, more reserved facade when the
dark stained, smooth cedar siding of the second story dormers was
repeated at the new entry. Visitors to this home are now first welcomed
under the sheltering Portico and then, once again, when they enter the
sunny warmth of the Foyer.
