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7 Striking Contemporary Additions
Contrasting Designs Honor the Difference Between Old and New
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City.... More »
My last ideabook looked at the difference between Modern and Contemporary, two similar and often confused styles of architecture. When either a modern or contemporary structure is added to an old building of whatever style, the distinction is much more obvious.
Not everybody appreciates contrast between old and new, but one take on the issue says the difference means new acknowledges old by not repeating it. In other words old is clearly old and new is clearly new. That stance certainly won't solve any battles over taste, but it makes for some interesting residential additions that respond to the clients needs through a contemporary palette.
Modern or Contemporary: What's the Difference?
Not everybody appreciates contrast between old and new, but one take on the issue says the difference means new acknowledges old by not repeating it. In other words old is clearly old and new is clearly new. That stance certainly won't solve any battles over taste, but it makes for some interesting residential additions that respond to the clients needs through a contemporary palette.
Modern or Contemporary: What's the Difference?
| This addition by David Rea Architects in Ashurstwood, England is comprised of an artist's studio and a main living space. The contrast between the mainly glass one-story addition and the two-story gabled brick house is undeniable, but it's clear the architect minimize the relationship of new to old vertically ... |
... And the architect made the addition almost invisible from the front of the house. This is a quality that most of the examples in this ideabook share: They tend to add to the rear of the house. This is probably due to more space being available there for an addition, but also for privacy and to keep the curbside appeal as is.
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by Birdseye Design
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| Probably the most complementary addition in this ideabook is this Village Farmhouse in Vermont by Birdseye Design. The addition to the gable house opts to angle the roofline up and away from it, as if in deference to it. The porch covering unites old and new. |
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by Birdseye Design
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| Another view of the Village Farmhouse shows the more generous and asymmetrical glazing of the addition, with corner windows wrapping the sides. |
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| This 1,000-square-foot addition to an existing house of basically the same size is quite interesting in how it starts with a traditional residential language (gable roof, wood siding, punched openings) and then creates variation on this theme. The siding portion seems to be shifted and lifted above a glassy kitchen area; the terrace above shields the glass walls and space behind from the Austin, Texas sun. |
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Another view of the 1,000-sf addition by Webber + Studio shows how the roof extends down the side of the addition to create privacy for the master bedroom and its terrace. This echoes how the roof reaches to the ground on the other side of the house, evident in the previous photo.
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| This large residence made up of three buildings on Long Island uses one-story contemporary elements to unite the pieces rendered in the local gabled vernacular. In this view of the Robert Young-designed project, the whitewash-and-glass, flat-roofed piece connects two shingle-clad volumes. Seen from another view ... |
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... This glass addition is quite open, allowing the residents to move freely but also take in water views. In this project there is a synergy between old and new that is apparent; the shingle volumes are minimal in terms of palette and decoration, just like the glass wall pieces. This is due to the fact this project is actually all new construction, with the gabled pieces designed to match other local buildings.
This design by Sam Crawford is a small addition to a 1930s house on Syndey's North Shore. Situated in a narrow gap to the south of the side, the roof's folded roof form captures sunlight from the north (remember, this is Australia). This roof echoes the old gable form, but it is constructed in steel and corrugated metal instead of wood and shingles.
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| These last few examples are small rear additions in urban conditions, two by Schwartz and Architecture. Differences can be found in the guardrails of the upper-floor terraces, in this case frosted glass... |
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... And in this case the guardrails are perforated metal with a distinctive kink at the bottom. These two designs illustrate the extent that many urban additions can accomplish — small extensions of kitchens or other spaces — and how lots of glass and simple details doesn't always differ greatly from old buildings.
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This rear garden addition to a Victorian house, also renovated by Hampson Williams, like the first project in this ideabook, heads across the pond. The simple glass and wood design opens up towards the garden, all the while harmonizing with the old brick building. The floor/wall/ceiling wraparound with terrace is a nice touch.
More:
Modern or Contemporary: What's the Difference?
The Case for Interior Courtyards
Browse photos of contemporary architecture
More:
Modern or Contemporary: What's the Difference?
The Case for Interior Courtyards
Browse photos of contemporary architecture
Comments
Danielle Another informative ideabook, thanks John, loved it.
2 years ago · Like
mainegirl5 The more simple the original structure the more likely it can accept a contemporary addition.
2 years ago · Like
Gerry di pierro nice details, finishes are nice.great job
2 years ago · Like
billycat Re the Village Farmhouse addition in Vermont: The contemporary addition just doesn't relate to the charming village farmhouse.
2 years ago · Like
Nan Most here are ok, but the farmhouse in VT is just W.R.O.N.G. It dwarfs the original - and more appealing - structure. All the others look like smaller additions and therefore they look better.
2 years ago · Like
Johanna While the design work is beautiful. I have to question how this will be perceived down the road with time. The original designs have withstood the tests of time; both by the look and construction values. Ten or twenty years from now when wear and tear begin to dull the lustre, I wonder if they'll just appear to be an impetuous decision for a less complicated and cheaper room addition. IE... How many homes built with contemporary architecture back in the late 60s / early 70s are actually desireable looking today? (I'm sure someone thought they were a good idea at the time they were built.) I personally believe mixing the old w/ new is a big mistake in the longrun for maintaining the future market value. People who love old homes will not appreciate diluting the authenticity of the time period of the original design.
2 years ago · Like
iwellman1 Thank you for posting this. It brings to light that old and new makes for a more dynamic home. I am currently working on a 60's back split and merging it with contemporary architecture to capitalize on the views of the Pacific Ocean. The addition will appear seamless from the front so as not to upset the aesthetics of the neighborhood of predominantly 50's style beach cottages and ranches. It is purely of personal taste and definitely a conversation piece.
2 years ago · Like
David DeLay Square peg; Round hole.....
2 years ago · Like
Tierney Conner Design Studio I find a dialogue between old/new a much richer, more relevant way of living...Here is another one to add to the collection by Tierney Conner... 
2 years ago · Like
lronald love the contrasts and how it somehow works.
2 years ago · Like
Jeffrey Pozin It's like wearing really nice, expensive basketball shoes with a classic, formal tuxedo. Or like a late model mint condition Rolls Royce, with flame paint. Wrong on so many levels. These images went from "passable" to "dreadful" (Yes, the VT Farmhouse would fit the latter description). From the front view in that photo, the addition seems to be visually pulling itself away from the original structure. Perhaps it's somehow become self-aware, realized what a bad idea it truly was, and is attempting to flee the scene.
2 years ago · Like
John Hill annet - Thanks for posting those photos. The third and fourth photos get at one advantage to a modern/contemporary addition: the openness/views of the new room.
2 years ago · Like
mrlamb64 I am working on an idea and me and my client finally got the idea of a contemporary add to their old brick house, now we are dealing with the budget and the heavy snow on flat roofs, any good ideas?
3 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on May 9, 2011.
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