Living in Broad Ripple for over thirty years, this home’s residents wished to remain part of their beautiful, walkable neighborhood for another thirty years with a few significant enhancements. As the previous form of the home wasn’t accommodating to their lifestyle, clients asked the Architect to help develop a master plan to re-envision a space that is conducive to their functional, aesthetic, and sustainability goals now and into the future.

Functionally, the clients were interested in a better interior flow, more openness, and suitable daylighting. The scale of the space should feel comfortable for day-to-day living, but also for occasional entertaining. Accommodations for accessibility + adaptability were a priority, as was an overall refresh inside and out.

Aesthetically, client was interested in fitting the neighborhood by enhancing the Craftsman-style architecture, but “with a touch of funk”. Craft and detail has a special place in their hearts, as do music and instruments. Also, this was a chance to upgrade the 1920s home with proper sustainability considerations moving forward.

The design solution began with a complete rework of main level and upstairs within the confines of existing foundations, fireplace, and exterior window/wall locations. While the essence of the front living + dining spaces remained, kitchen was opened and enlarged. We eliminated one main-level bedroom to enlarge master suite that includes wide pocket doors and roll-in shower. Mudroom, laundry, and ½ bath make-up the back-entry area. New layout includes all primary needs on one level, and design of the rear deck took into consideration a future ramp should the need arise. Upstairs includes accommodations for two bedrooms – one currently a music room loft that overlooks the living space that can be enclosed if ever needed.

On the exterior, we kept the front porch structure, fireplace, and exterior windows/walls, but all-else we re-imagined. The exterior vision was to dial the Craftsman-style up a notch, but perhaps lean just a bit on the minimal side integrating some modern elements. We removed vinyl and underlying wood siding in favor of new painted fiber-cement lap siding on ventilated rainscreen integral with roof ventilation (resilient design). 30” deep primary roof overhangs are supported with custom-tapered rafter tails accent-painted white to contrast with light blue exposed soffits. The main roof and dormers are shingled, while the entry canopies are clad in 5-v-crimp metal sheet. Original wood double-hung windows are refurbished and remain; the new upstairs windows are black, aluminum-clad wood. The private rear patio is treated wood that will weather over time to blend in with the home and includes a privacy slat-wall noticeably complimenting the front porch as viewed from north elevation.

Entering the space, one immediately notices a blend of original details mixed with new unique touches. The loft ceiling in conjunction with skylights help spread clerestory daylighting throughout the formerly dark interior. Original trims, wood flooring, and fireplace/built-ins remain. But it’s the open-riser harp stair that grabs attention and pulls you upward; its open configuration and vertical cable guardrail a nod to stringed instruments. Stair and beam details are intentionally exposed with connections and raw materiality a nod to a family history in the manufacture of hardware.

Sustainably-speaking, we took the opportunity to outfit the home with a few special features. First, we maintained much of the original home’s embodied energy (foundations, front porch, brick, fireplace, floor structure, exterior walls, and refurbished original windows). Second, previously non-insulated exterior walls and roof structure are now insulated with dense-pack cellulose and ventilation, with roof achieving R-45. Uniquely, this home is equipped with a solar array to cover most energy needs and to protect against grid outages. At the time of installation, this was the first known solar array paired with lithium-ion battery backup system in a residential application in Indianapolis. New high-efficiency mechanical systems help lower energy use, and fully landscaped/non-turf yard reduces emissions. We protected and integrated 75-foot tall maple tree that shades rear west exposure. Drive is gravel, reducing stormwater runoff. Original windows have been outfitted with new storm windows for better energy efficiency. The skylights are placed strategically to maximize daylighting at important areas (kitchen, stair, and main living area). Most windows are operable, allowing for natural ventilation, including some degree of stack-ventilation low-to-high. Finally, new wiring and LED lighting throughout replaces archaic, previously inefficient, lesser-safe systems and fittings.