About: Abandoned two years ago by a previous contractor, and overwhelmed by the challenges associated with building an updated porch respectful to this Queen Anne style home, J. Francis Company, LLC was referred to the customer by Maynes & Associates, Architects. Perched at the highest point on the North Side with a panoramic view is where Deb Mortillaro and Mike Gonze make their residence. Owners of the famous Dreadnought Wines and Palate Partners in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, Deb & Mike wanted a porch to use for entertaining & wine tasting parties. Design features include reuse of original porch footers, mahogany tongue & groove flooring, a railing system that compliments the original design yet complies with the code and features a clear coated Cyprus top rail. The original porch columns were most likely stone bases with wood posts that have been replaced with columns to enhance the updated look. The curved corner has been reproduced including a custom-built curved handrail. The whole porch comes together, tying in the red mahogany floor, Cyprus handrail, and stained bead board ceiling. The finished result is a breathtakingly beautiful wrap-around porch with ample room for guests and entertaining. Testimonial: "Our beloved porch had been taken down to be rebuilt for two years before we met the great folks at J. Francis Company. We knew this porch had great potential and all it would take was the right people to make it happen - ones with vision and great craftsmanship. In conjunction with our architect, Greg Maynes, Dave Myers of J. Francis Company guided this project along with tremendous skill and patience. His creative suggestions and practical thought made the process painless and exciting. The head carpenter JK was a marvel and added touches that made a spectacular difference. We use our home and especially this porch to entertain both clients and friends throughout the year. They all have been anxiously waiting to hear that it is done. A pleasant surprise will be theirs when they arrive."

The Blue Butterfly Sanctuary is the site of an old navel housing facility. The base was constructed in the early 90’s and then inhabited for only three years before becoming a ghost town. After 20 years and miles and miles of red tape the VOA (Veterans of America) got the go ahead to convert these 76 abandoned houses into homes for homeless single mother veterans and their children. As a single mama myself, and as a person who believes that every human who so desires to should have a place they can call home, this project moved me. I joined forces with my stellar sister, Justina Blakeney and together with the helping hands of a few dear friends, a dose of DIY genius, and a bunch of love, we turned this house into a home. On a shoestring ;-) Photographed by Danae Rolyn

We turned this abandoned townhome backyard into a peaceful gardener's retreat by adding water wise perennials and shrubs, river rock streams, stone pathways and bubbler fountains. The patio is now a lovely place to relax. Roundtree Landscaping.

Hillcrest Construction designed and executed a complete facelift for these West Chester clients’ master bathroom. The sink/toilet/shower layout stayed relatively unchanged due to the limitations of the small space, but major changes were slated for the overall functionality and aesthetic appeal. The bathroom was gutted completely, the wiring was updated, and minor plumbing alterations were completed for code compliance. Bathroom waterproofing was installed utilizing the state-of-the-industry Schluter substrate products, and the feature wall of the shower is tiled with a striking blue 12x12 tile set in a stacked pattern, which is a departure of color and layout from the staggered gray-tome wall tile and floor tile. The original bathroom lacked storage, and what little storage it had lacked practicality. The original 1’ wide by 4’ deep “reach-in closet” was abandoned and replaced with a custom cabinetry unit that featured six 30” drawers to hold a world of personal bathroom items which could pulled out for easy access. The upper cubbie was shallower at 13” and was sized right to hold a few spare towels without the towels being lost to an unreachable area. The custom furniture-style vanity, also built and finished at the Hillcrest custom shop facilitated a clutter-free countertop with its two deep drawers, one with a u-shaped cut out for the sink plumbing. Considering the relatively small size of the bathroom, and the vanity’s proximity to the toilet, the drawer design allows for greater access to the storage area as compared to a vanity door design that would only be accessed from the front. The custom niche in the shower serves and a consolidated home for soap, shampoo bottles, and all other shower accessories. Moen fixtures at the sink and in the shower and a Toto toilet complete the contemporary feel. The controls at the shower allow the user to easily switch between the fixed rain head, the hand shower, or both. And for a finishing touch, the client chose between a number for shower grate color and design options to complete their tailor-made sanctuary.

Eichler Orange is a stunning expression of mid-century modern architecture. The vision in modernizing this historic Eichler home with a 21st-century makeover was to honor the work of Joseph Eichler and restore it to the 1964 icon of California modernism it once was. The clean aesthetics of this home features glass walls, post and beam, tongue and groove ceilings, and oversize porcelain tile floors throughout. The free-flowing indoor/outdoor floorplan is highlighted with a signature atrium, and all material selections were made to honor the time period. Custom cherry cabinets and warm slab walnut doors grace the interior. This home had significant structural termite damage with three-quarters of the framing needing replacement. Additionally, the original house did not come close to meeting the current seismic codes. During reconstruction, we upgraded the post and beam structure with seismic hold-downs and concealed fasteners. The house lacked energy efficiency due to its flat roof and did not meet California’s current Title 24 energy-efficient standards. While honoring its era, this fully renovated residence is now updated with today’s energy efficiencies, including all-aluminum dual-glazed windows and doors, new spray foam insulation atop the flat roof, and tankless water heaters. A new photovoltaic solar system was added. We abandoned the radiant floor heat and installed a new high-efficiency ductless heating and air units to each room. This increased the building’s performance and provided each room with its own thermostat and control. This system also allowed us to eliminate soffits and ductwork and maintain the exposed tongue and groove ceiling throughout the home. The living space next to the family and dining room was repurposed to relocate the washer and dryer and allowed space to add a third bathroom. The primary bathroom was also reconfigured for a larger layout. The sleek kitchen design includes frameless Crystal Cabinets, professional-grade Miele appliances, a large stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, and a generous Caesarstone countertop workspace. The outdoor backyard living space captures the natural beauty of Southern California and mid-century modern features, including drought-resistant landscaping with decomposed granite planter areas and all-new concrete hardscape. A new spa was added to the existing pool, along with a new BBQ area and firepit. Photographer: Public 311 Design

With humble beginnings as an abandoned farm with a decaying greenhouse, this five acre lot was transformed into an active walking park for the community. Working with a committee of town volunteers to design and develop a vision for the park, Oakes Park was completed in 2006 and is now a daily destination point for many of the town's residents. The park hosts numerous dog walkers, casual strollers, the town's Memorial Day events and "Jazz in the Park" on Friday evenings throughout the summer months. Landscape Architecture: Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com - 201.767.5858) Engineering - Skrable Engineering (skrableengineeringllc.com) Photography - John Knowlton/Till Gardens

Stair rail made from beaver dam wood found on the client's property. The wood was taken from an abandoned beaver dam, dried in our millwork shop, sanded with a wire brush to remove bark and mud. The beaver teeth marks remain. Photo: Mishka Cole

In 2021, Reynard Architectural Designs accepted its first design project. Our team partnered with Tobars Dobbs to transform a tiny, abandoned ranch in West Atlanta into an expansive contemporary modern home. The first floor, existing brickwork, and main structure where kept in tact. The original ranch was a closed floor plan with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with an extended hallway. All the interior finishes, appliances and walls were removed to convert the home into an open floor plan that maximizes space on the first floor. The finished home is a modern contemporary design that doubled the number of bedrooms, created four accessible outdoor decks, and created a fresh look that balances simplicity with plenty of character. The home on Shirley Street takes advantage of minimalist/modern design elements, clean white countertops and cupboards that are complimented nicely by classic stainless steel finishes. The original ranch home was once confined and segmented. Now, an open stairway that is bathed in natural light leads to the main living space above. Low profile jack and jill vanity mirrors, a soaker tub with a view, and a spacious shower all highlight the serene master bathroom. The master bedroom makes great use of light with a small, private transom above the bed and easy outdoor access to a private patio deck behind the main sleeping quarters. A private getaway shaded by the surrounding live oaks is just what's needed after a long day at work. The home on Shirley Street features four of these private patio decks that provide additional entertainment and relaxation space.

Example of a pool design in San Francisco

Eichler Orange is a stunning expression of mid-century modern architecture. The vision in modernizing this historic Eichler home with a 21st-century makeover was to honor the work of Joseph Eichler and restore it to the 1964 icon of California modernism it once was. The clean aesthetics of this home features glass walls, post and beam, tongue and groove ceilings, and oversize porcelain tile floors throughout. The free-flowing indoor/outdoor floorplan is highlighted with a signature atrium, and all material selections were made to honor the time period. Custom cherry cabinets and warm slab walnut doors grace the interior. This home had significant structural termite damage with three-quarters of the framing needing replacement. Additionally, the original house did not come close to meeting the current seismic codes. During reconstruction, we upgraded the post and beam structure with seismic hold-downs and concealed fasteners. The house lacked energy efficiency due to its flat roof and did not meet California’s current Title 24 energy-efficient standards. While honoring its era, this fully renovated residence is now updated with today’s energy efficiencies, including all-aluminum dual-glazed windows and doors, new spray foam insulation atop the flat roof, and tankless water heaters. A new photovoltaic solar system was added. We abandoned the radiant floor heat and installed a new high-efficiency ductless heating and air units to each room. This increased the building’s performance and provided each room with its own thermostat and control. This system also allowed us to eliminate soffits and ductwork and maintain the exposed tongue and groove ceiling throughout the home. The living space next to the family and dining room was repurposed to relocate the washer and dryer and allowed space to add a third bathroom. The primary bathroom was also reconfigured for a larger layout. The sleek kitchen design includes frameless Crystal Cabinets, professional-grade Miele appliances, a large stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, and a generous Caesarstone countertop workspace. The outdoor backyard living space captures the natural beauty of Southern California and mid-century modern features, including drought-resistant landscaping with decomposed granite planter areas and all-new concrete hardscape. A new spa was added to the existing pool, along with a new BBQ area and firepit. Photographer: Public 311 Design

Eichler Orange is a stunning expression of mid-century modern architecture. The vision in modernizing this historic Eichler home with a 21st-century makeover was to honor the work of Joseph Eichler and restore it to the 1964 icon of California modernism it once was. The clean aesthetics of this home features glass walls, post and beam, tongue and groove ceilings, and oversize porcelain tile floors throughout. The free-flowing indoor/outdoor floorplan is highlighted with a signature atrium, and all material selections were made to honor the time period. Custom cherry cabinets and warm slab walnut doors grace the interior. This home had significant structural termite damage with three-quarters of the framing needing replacement. Additionally, the original house did not come close to meeting the current seismic codes. During reconstruction, we upgraded the post and beam structure with seismic hold-downs and concealed fasteners. The house lacked energy efficiency due to its flat roof and did not meet California’s current Title 24 energy-efficient standards. While honoring its era, this fully renovated residence is now updated with today’s energy efficiencies, including all-aluminum dual-glazed windows and doors, new spray foam insulation atop the flat roof, and tankless water heaters. A new photovoltaic solar system was added. We abandoned the radiant floor heat and installed a new high-efficiency ductless heating and air units to each room. This increased the building’s performance and provided each room with its own thermostat and control. This system also allowed us to eliminate soffits and ductwork and maintain the exposed tongue and groove ceiling throughout the home. The living space next to the family and dining room was repurposed to relocate the washer and dryer and allowed space to add a third bathroom. The primary bathroom was also reconfigured for a larger layout. The sleek kitchen design includes frameless Crystal Cabinets, professional-grade Miele appliances, a large stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, and a generous Caesarstone countertop workspace. The outdoor backyard living space captures the natural beauty of Southern California and mid-century modern features, including drought-resistant landscaping with decomposed granite planter areas and all-new concrete hardscape. A new spa was added to the existing pool, along with a new BBQ area and firepit. Photographer: Public 311 Design

We turned this abandoned townhome backyard into a peaceful gardener's retreat by adding water wise perennials and shrubs, river rock streams, stone pathways and bubbler fountains. The patio is now a lovely place to relax. Roundtree Landscaping.

The site was abandoned and in disrepair, and on it a classic Charleston Freeman Cottage, along with a few shacks and what might have originally been a garage sat scattered on this long narrow site. The new owners saw the potential to bring this small home back to life while maintaining the existing street presences and expanding the cottage to better fit a modern life. We were able to arrange additions in a way that created a village massing where one larger home felt like many and saved a shared courtyard with the small commercial structure. The space is inmate and urban, while allowing for a 4 Bedroom home to snuggle into the streetscape. The ramshackle garage space was brought back to life as micro-commercial space, activating the sidewalk.

KIDSANCTUARY CAMPUS is a charitable organization in Palm Beach County committed to assisting children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. They are continuing to build a five acre residential facility with homes, an enrichment center and play areas. Palm Beach County graciously donated this land for our project. The campus includes 24-hour care and housing for the children who are considered the most vulnerable in the foster care system. KidSanctuary Campus brings in expert, professional foster parents who raise the children living in our homes. They provide comfort, security and consistency. It is often the first time these children are in such a safe, structured environment.

The old kitchen was dismantled. The exhaust duct was dismantled. Abandoned the gas column in favor of an electric thermostat, which was taken outside the house. Kitchen furniture turned the other way. A sink, dishwasher and washing machine are located under the window. In the corner there is a microwave and an oven. In the centre of the kitchen is an island. All built-in furniture, as well as kitchen furniture made by individual order by the company CAIXIMADEIRA

Our client had the misfortune of encountering a contractor who abandoned the project halfway through, so we tapped in, repairing the areas that we needed to repair, building most of the fence, as well as a solar-powered automatic gate, and staining the fence, and painting the metal framing on the gate.

This loft is situated in the former International Tailoring Company Building in New York’s East Village. The clients bought a top-floor loft and an abandoned mechanical room directly above it. Our task was to combine the rooftop space with the loft to create a cohesive triplex apartment. We achieved this by carefully opening up the roof’s 100-year-old structural members to install a staircase connecting the existing loft to the additional upper two levels. On the main floor, the first run of the staircase is located in the apartment's entry and is made of a sculptural form of dark oak. The second run of the staircase is more open, allowing light from the top level's many windows to filter into the spaces below. The existing main loft was gut-renovated to create a more open space. The open kitchen/living space was strategically positioned to be surrounded by the building’s huge industrial steel windows, taking advantage of the apartment's high vantage over Union Square. Opposite the windows, custom woodwork serves to unify the kitchen with the living room. The built-in spans the full width of the apartment with dark textured oak panels concealing the appliances, the TV, and creating ample storage. The blackened steel paneled backsplash and chunky black granite countertops complete the dark color palette used in the kitchen. Throughout the apartment, a play of dark and light elements creates a distinctive atmosphere. In the open living areas, the light pouring in from the large windows contrasts with the dark colors selected for the built environment. The more private spaces, such as the bedroom, have a darker feel, with walls and ceilings painted in a deep purple that borders on black alongside more dark oak custom built-ins. The dining room functions as a bridge between the public and private spaces, with walls and ceiling painted in the same moody purple and a vintage mirrored tile accent wall reflecting natural light from the adjacent room’s windows. The middle floor, which has fewer windows, is painted bright white to enhance light in the home office located there.. On the penthouse level, panoramic views were achieved by installing new floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels, supplementing the existing industrial steel windows, and opening onto an adjacent roof terrace. The top floor functions as a lounge overlooking the city and includes unique custom features, such as a steel multi-drop lighting fixture above the stairs, hanging glass and steel shelving, and a built-in wet bar. Here again, dark-colored finishes and materials are used as a counterpoint to the abundant light entering the space. A future plan for the apartment is to create a private roof garden on top of the penthouse with an outdoor stair connecting it to the roof terrace below.

The Bunker House is a two-story house with a bomb shelter in the basement. A bunker house is a two-story residential building with a basement bomb shelter. In a short time, we had to equip the basement, master the "two walls" principle and properly seal the windows to protect ourselves and our family from the impact of the shock wave. Our priorities have changed when choosing a home - proximity to the city center or transportation hubs no longer matters. Moreover, SENCE ARCHITECTS also took care of other safety aspects. According to the rules, the storage has two distributed exits outside, each with light "hints" of the direction of evacuation. The basement area is sealed and equipped with a double ventilation system. This is a zone of guaranteed protection against missile attacks, poisonous or radioactive substances, combustion products, and bacteriological weapons. The first mode works on air recovery, providing a fresh flow of it in the absence of heat loss. The second is carried out by a filter ventilation unit — it cleans the outside air, and then distributes it to the compartments and creates excess pressure. Thus, contaminated air will not penetrate inside even through small cracks in protective structures. CONCEPTUAL SOLUTION The structures of the building itself are made of strong reinforced concrete — this way SENCE ARCHITECTS suggests abandoning "glass" facades. The number of windows has also been reduced: they will have a protective anti-shock film, and in case of an explosive wave, they will be closed with reinforced shutters made of fire-resistant plywood. At the entrance to the house and bomb shelter, armored doors are installed. Water is supplied from its own artesian well, electricity — from its own diesel power plant. This means that possible damage to infrastructure facilities will not affect the lives of residents in any way. The house is equipped with modern types of radio- and telephone communication, and satellite Internet, which will work even in the bomb shelter. The signaling and air-raid alert systems are to be installed too. The systems are powered autonomously and have backup channels. Overall, given its specificity, the house is designed for a family of 4-5 people. Size / 733 sq.m. Year / 2022

The Calvin Swallow Residence entailed the restoration and rehabilitation of the 1874 building in conformance with National Park Service, the Massachusetts Historical Commission and Boston’s South End Landmark District Commission. The building had been vacant and abandoned for more than 15 years. The scope of the project consisted of a full exterior restoration which includes new slate roofing, re-construction of the cornice lines, repair and mostly reconstruction of the ground level storefront windows and door, repair of the oriel window and masonry repointing. On the interior, Haycon restored the stairs and railings and constructed six apartments on the top three floors. The ground floors are offices.