Search results for "Proper care" in Home Design Ideas
ZeroEnergy DesignThis modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income.
FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own.
SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio.
MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch.
SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf)
RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property.
COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements.
OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income.
PROJECT TEAM
ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer
A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor
Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry
Lisa Finch - Original Artwork
European Architectural Supply - Windows
Eric Roth Photography - Photography
Thinkterior LLCFor a family who believes fitness is not only an essential part of life but also a fun opportunity for the whole family to connect, build and achieve greatness together there is nothing better than a custom designed obstacle course right in your back yard.
THEME
The theme of this half mile trail through the woods is evident in the fun, creative and all-inclusive obstacles hidden in the natural flow of the land around this amazing family home. The course was created with adults and children, advanced and beginner athletes, competitive and entertaining events all accounted for. Each of the 13 obstacles was designed to be challenging no matter the size, skill or ability of the athlete lucky enough to run the course.
FOCUS
The focus for this family was to create an outdoor adventure that could be an athletic, social and personal outlet for their entire family while maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and without altering the sweeping views from the home. The large scale of the challenging obstacles is camouflaged within the landscape using the rolling hills and mature trees as a natural curtain in every season. The beauty of the course does not diminish the functional and demanding nature of the obstacles which are designed to focus on multiple strength, agility, and cardio fitness abilities and intensities.
STORAGE
The start of the trail includes a raised training area offering a dedicated space clear from the ground to place bags, mats and other equipment used during the run. A small all-terrain storage cart was provided for use with 6 yoga mats, 3 medicine balls of various weights, rings, sprinting cones, and a large digital timer to record laps.
GROWTH
The course was designed to provide an athletic and fun challenge for children, teens and adults no matter their experience or athletic prowess. This course offers competitive athletes a challenge and budding athletes an opportunity to experience and ignite their passion for physical activity. Initially the concept for the course was focused on the youngest of the family however as the design grew so did the obstacles and now it is a true family experience that will meet their adapting needs for years. Each obstacle is paired with an instructional sign directing the runners in proper use of the obstacle, adaptations for skill levels and tips on form. These signs are all customized for this course and are printed on metal to ensure they last for many years.
SAFETY
Safety is crucial for all physical activity and an obstacle course of this scale presents unique safety concerns. Children should always be supervised when participating in an adventure on the course however additional care was paid to details on the course to ensure everyone has a great time. All of the course obstacles have been created with pressure treated lumber that will withstand the seasonal poundings. All footer pilings that support obstacles have been placed into the ground between 3 to 4 feet (.9 to 1.2 meters) and each piling has 2 to 3 bags of concrete (totaling over 90 bags used throughout the course) ensuring stability of the structure and safety of the participants. Additionally, all obstacle lumber has been given rounded corners and sanded down offering less splintering and more time for everyone to enjoy the course.
This athletic and charismatic family strives to incorporate a healthy active lifestyle into their daily life and this obstacle course offers their family an opportunity to strengthen themselves and host some memorable and active events at their amazing home.
HU-884212062Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley.
The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic.
We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws.
The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year.
Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.
Find the right local pro for your project
Care Free Homes, Inc.This beautiful colonial in Marion, Massachusetts is even more gorgeous with its new GAF Timberline HD roof!
There is more to a roof than shingles – in fact there are several components to a professionally installed GAF Lifetime Roofing System. Here is the anatomy of our Marion homeowner’s roof:
GAF Timberline HD Shingles Marion, MAGAF Timberline HD Roof Shingles: A beautiful architectural shingle at an affordable price! This is our most popular roof shingle here at Care Free Homes! Our Marion customer selected the classic color, Charcoal. This high performance shingle features a 130 mph wind rating and highest possible fire rating.
Underlayment: A felt/paper product that is installed over the entire roof deck, underlayment provides an additional layer of protection between the roof deck and the roof shingles.
Ice Dam and Water Shield: After a brutal winter and unprecedented snow fall, many New England homes suffered damage from ice dams. Ice Dam and Water Shield provides added protection for eves, rakes, valleys as well as flashed areas around vent pipes, chimneys, dormers, and skylights. Whether it’s a winter wonderland or a hurricane, this homeowner will not have to worry about ice dams or driving rain.
GAF Timberline HD, Marion, MA Dormers
Premium Aluminum Drip Edge: Installed along the rakes, drip edge serves several purposes. It improves the efficiency of water shedding, prevents leaking from a wind-driven rain as well as movement between the deck and fascia boards. Drip edge also keeps pesky insects from infiltrating the space between the roof deck and the fascia boards. With a choice of three colors, white, brown and gray, it provides a finished look for a roof.
GAF Pro-Start Eave/Rake Starter Strip: Every story has a beginning and every roof should have a starter strip. Here in New England we’ve got to have our roof be tougher than mother nature. To prevent shingle blow off, an ultra-adhered starter strip properly secures shingles in place during a storm. In contrast, the amateur roofer will often use cut-up shingles as a starter course. This weakened “starter course” lowers the wind resistance of a roof and makes it more susceptible to both wind and water damage. With straighter edges, Dura-Grip adhesive, and outstanding warranties – starter strip will provide beauty, performance and peace of mind.
GAF Cobra Ridge Vent: Ridge vents provide necessary airflow to remove excess heat and moisture in an attic. It inhibits the growth of mold and protects the health of the homeowners as well as their stored possessions. A properly vented attic will also protect homes in harsh winter climates from ice damming.
Why wait? Contact us today and make your house a Care Free home!
HU-884212062Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley.
The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic.
We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws.
The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year.
Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.
Old Saratoga Restorations IncorporatedThe main "summer cottage" to which the carriage house used to belong, also restored by Old Saratoga Restorations
Dania Bagia Photography
In 2014, when new owners purchased one of the grand, 19th-century "summer cottages" that grace historic North Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Old Saratoga Restorations was already intimately acquainted with it.
Year after year, the previous owner had hired OSR to work on one carefully planned restoration project after another. What had not been dealt with in the previous restoration projects was the Eliza Doolittle of a garage tucked behind the stately home.
Under its dingy aluminum siding and electric bay door was a proper Victorian carriage house. The new family saw both the charm and potential of the building and asked OSR to turn the building into a single family home.
The project was granted an Adaptive Reuse Award in 2015 by the Saratoga Springs Historic Preservation Foundation for the project. Upon accepting the award, the owner said, “the house is similar to a geode, historic on the outside, but shiny and new on the inside.”
Microworks Handyman**Concrete Step Restoration & Your Entire To-Do List Done! ???️**
Start by fixing those crumbling, cracked, or settling concrete steps that have become an eyesore and a dangerous tripping hazard, and let us take care of the rest in one seamless visit. With our Ultimate Handyman Block, your professional will kick off the day with a quick property walkthrough to prioritize your exact needs. We will dive straight into carefully chipping away the loose debris, properly prepping the surface, and flawlessly applying high-strength concrete patch or resurfacer so your entryway or walkway is safe, rock-solid, and looks freshly poured. Once your concrete steps are perfectly restored, we will use the rest of your reserved session to tackle whatever else is weighing on your mind—from mounting heavy TVs and patching drywall to upgrading door hardware and repairing fences. Professional-grade consumables are fully included in the service, and if your project requires specialty masonry bonding agents, specific non-slip concrete sealers, or custom decorative caps, we source them for you and pass the items on with zero markup. It is the ultimate, stress-free way to finally catch up on those nagging repairs and get your property back to 100% in a single day.
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Consumables Included:
High-strength concrete patch & resurfacer | Masonry bonding adhesive | Standard structural fasteners
#MicroworksHandyman #BurnabyHandyman #VancouverHandyman #NorthVancouverHandyman #WestVancouverHandyman #CoquitlamHandyman #ConcreteRepair #StepRestoration #HomeMaintenance #VancouverContractor #HandymanServices #PropertyMaintenance #HoneyDoList #HomeRepairs #MasonryRepair
Microworks Handyman**Concrete Step Restoration & Your Entire To-Do List Done! ???️**
Start by fixing those crumbling, cracked, or settling concrete steps that have become an eyesore and a dangerous tripping hazard, and let us take care of the rest in one seamless visit. With our Ultimate Handyman Block, your professional will kick off the day with a quick property walkthrough to prioritize your exact needs. We will dive straight into carefully chipping away the loose debris, properly prepping the surface, and flawlessly applying high-strength concrete patch or resurfacer so your entryway or walkway is safe, rock-solid, and looks freshly poured. Once your concrete steps are perfectly restored, we will use the rest of your reserved session to tackle whatever else is weighing on your mind—from mounting heavy TVs and patching drywall to upgrading door hardware and repairing fences. Professional-grade consumables are fully included in the service, and if your project requires specialty masonry bonding agents, specific non-slip concrete sealers, or custom decorative caps, we source them for you and pass the items on with zero markup. It is the ultimate, stress-free way to finally catch up on those nagging repairs and get your property back to 100% in a single day.
.
.
.
.
.
Consumables Included:
High-strength concrete patch & resurfacer | Masonry bonding adhesive | Standard structural fasteners
#MicroworksHandyman #BurnabyHandyman #VancouverHandyman #NorthVancouverHandyman #WestVancouverHandyman #CoquitlamHandyman #ConcreteRepair #StepRestoration #HomeMaintenance #VancouverContractor #HandymanServices #PropertyMaintenance #HoneyDoList #HomeRepairs #MasonryRepair
Old Saratoga Restorations IncorporatedDania Bagia Photography
In 2014, when new owners purchased one of the grand, 19th-century "summer cottages" that grace historic North Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Old Saratoga Restorations was already intimately acquainted with it.
Year after year, the previous owner had hired OSR to work on one carefully planned restoration project after another. What had not been dealt with in the previous restoration projects was the Eliza Doolittle of a garage tucked behind the stately home.
Under its dingy aluminum siding and electric bay door was a proper Victorian carriage house. The new family saw both the charm and potential of the building and asked OSR to turn the building into a single family home.
The project was granted an Adaptive Reuse Award in 2015 by the Saratoga Springs Historic Preservation Foundation for the project. Upon accepting the award, the owner said, “the house is similar to a geode, historic on the outside, but shiny and new on the inside.”
Space & LineContemporary Kitchen Design
Photography by Space and Line (Spaceandline.com)
Inspiration for a huge contemporary beige floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances and an island
Inspiration for a huge contemporary beige floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances and an island
Cummings Architecture + InteriorsBlending contemporary and historic styles requires innovative design and a well-balanced aesthetic. That was the challenge we faced in creating a modern kitchen for this historic home in Lynnfield, MA. The final design retained the classically beautiful spatial and structural elements of the home while introducing a sleek sophistication. We mixed the two design palettes carefully. For instance, juxtaposing the warm, distressed wood of an original door with the smooth, brightness of non-paneled, maple cabinetry. A cork floor and accent cabinets of white metal add texture while a seated, step-down peninsula and built in bookcase create an open transition from the kitchen proper to an inviting dining space. This is truly a space where the past and present can coexist harmoniously.
Photo Credit: Eric Roth
Microworks Handyman**Concrete Step Restoration & Your Entire To-Do List Done! ???️**
Start by fixing those crumbling, cracked, or settling concrete steps that have become an eyesore and a dangerous tripping hazard, and let us take care of the rest in one seamless visit. With our Ultimate Handyman Block, your professional will kick off the day with a quick property walkthrough to prioritize your exact needs. We will dive straight into carefully chipping away the loose debris, properly prepping the surface, and flawlessly applying high-strength concrete patch or resurfacer so your entryway or walkway is safe, rock-solid, and looks freshly poured. Once your concrete steps are perfectly restored, we will use the rest of your reserved session to tackle whatever else is weighing on your mind—from mounting heavy TVs and patching drywall to upgrading door hardware and repairing fences. Professional-grade consumables are fully included in the service, and if your project requires specialty masonry bonding agents, specific non-slip concrete sealers, or custom decorative caps, we source them for you and pass the items on with zero markup. It is the ultimate, stress-free way to finally catch up on those nagging repairs and get your property back to 100% in a single day.
.
.
.
.
.
Consumables Included:
High-strength concrete patch & resurfacer | Masonry bonding adhesive | Standard structural fasteners
#MicroworksHandyman #BurnabyHandyman #VancouverHandyman #NorthVancouverHandyman #WestVancouverHandyman #CoquitlamHandyman #ConcreteRepair #StepRestoration #HomeMaintenance #VancouverContractor #HandymanServices #PropertyMaintenance #HoneyDoList #HomeRepairs #MasonryRepair
Microworks Handyman**Concrete Step Restoration & Your Entire To-Do List Done! ???️**
Start by fixing those crumbling, cracked, or settling concrete steps that have become an eyesore and a dangerous tripping hazard, and let us take care of the rest in one seamless visit. With our Ultimate Handyman Block, your professional will kick off the day with a quick property walkthrough to prioritize your exact needs. We will dive straight into carefully chipping away the loose debris, properly prepping the surface, and flawlessly applying high-strength concrete patch or resurfacer so your entryway or walkway is safe, rock-solid, and looks freshly poured. Once your concrete steps are perfectly restored, we will use the rest of your reserved session to tackle whatever else is weighing on your mind—from mounting heavy TVs and patching drywall to upgrading door hardware and repairing fences. Professional-grade consumables are fully included in the service, and if your project requires specialty masonry bonding agents, specific non-slip concrete sealers, or custom decorative caps, we source them for you and pass the items on with zero markup. It is the ultimate, stress-free way to finally catch up on those nagging repairs and get your property back to 100% in a single day.
.
.
.
.
.
Consumables Included:
High-strength concrete patch & resurfacer | Masonry bonding adhesive | Standard structural fasteners
#MicroworksHandyman #BurnabyHandyman #VancouverHandyman #NorthVancouverHandyman #WestVancouverHandyman #CoquitlamHandyman #ConcreteRepair #StepRestoration #HomeMaintenance #VancouverContractor #HandymanServices #PropertyMaintenance #HoneyDoList #HomeRepairs #MasonryRepair
Microworks Handyman**Concrete Step Restoration & Your Entire To-Do List Done! ???️**
Start by fixing those crumbling, cracked, or settling concrete steps that have become an eyesore and a dangerous tripping hazard, and let us take care of the rest in one seamless visit. With our Ultimate Handyman Block, your professional will kick off the day with a quick property walkthrough to prioritize your exact needs. We will dive straight into carefully chipping away the loose debris, properly prepping the surface, and flawlessly applying high-strength concrete patch or resurfacer so your entryway or walkway is safe, rock-solid, and looks freshly poured. Once your concrete steps are perfectly restored, we will use the rest of your reserved session to tackle whatever else is weighing on your mind—from mounting heavy TVs and patching drywall to upgrading door hardware and repairing fences. Professional-grade consumables are fully included in the service, and if your project requires specialty masonry bonding agents, specific non-slip concrete sealers, or custom decorative caps, we source them for you and pass the items on with zero markup. It is the ultimate, stress-free way to finally catch up on those nagging repairs and get your property back to 100% in a single day.
.
.
.
.
.
Consumables Included:
High-strength concrete patch & resurfacer | Masonry bonding adhesive | Standard structural fasteners
#MicroworksHandyman #BurnabyHandyman #VancouverHandyman #NorthVancouverHandyman #WestVancouverHandyman #CoquitlamHandyman #ConcreteRepair #StepRestoration #HomeMaintenance #VancouverContractor #HandymanServices #PropertyMaintenance #HoneyDoList #HomeRepairs #MasonryRepair
Microworks Handyman**Concrete Step Restoration & Your Entire To-Do List Done! ???️**
Start by fixing those crumbling, cracked, or settling concrete steps that have become an eyesore and a dangerous tripping hazard, and let us take care of the rest in one seamless visit. With our Ultimate Handyman Block, your professional will kick off the day with a quick property walkthrough to prioritize your exact needs. We will dive straight into carefully chipping away the loose debris, properly prepping the surface, and flawlessly applying high-strength concrete patch or resurfacer so your entryway or walkway is safe, rock-solid, and looks freshly poured. Once your concrete steps are perfectly restored, we will use the rest of your reserved session to tackle whatever else is weighing on your mind—from mounting heavy TVs and patching drywall to upgrading door hardware and repairing fences. Professional-grade consumables are fully included in the service, and if your project requires specialty masonry bonding agents, specific non-slip concrete sealers, or custom decorative caps, we source them for you and pass the items on with zero markup. It is the ultimate, stress-free way to finally catch up on those nagging repairs and get your property back to 100% in a single day.
.
.
.
.
.
Consumables Included:
High-strength concrete patch & resurfacer | Masonry bonding adhesive | Standard structural fasteners
#MicroworksHandyman #BurnabyHandyman #VancouverHandyman #NorthVancouverHandyman #WestVancouverHandyman #CoquitlamHandyman #ConcreteRepair #StepRestoration #HomeMaintenance #VancouverContractor #HandymanServices #PropertyMaintenance #HoneyDoList #HomeRepairs #MasonryRepair
Confidence Landscaping, Inc.Low Water Use Gardens
This is an example of a large contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard gravel retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.
This is an example of a large contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard gravel retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.
Old Saratoga Restorations IncorporatedDania Bagia Photography
In 2014, when new owners purchased one of the grand, 19th-century "summer cottages" that grace historic North Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Old Saratoga Restorations was already intimately acquainted with it.
Year after year, the previous owner had hired OSR to work on one carefully planned restoration project after another. What had not been dealt with in the previous restoration projects was the Eliza Doolittle of a garage tucked behind the stately home.
Under its dingy aluminum siding and electric bay door was a proper Victorian carriage house. The new family saw both the charm and potential of the building and asked OSR to turn the building into a single family home.
The project was granted an Adaptive Reuse Award in 2015 by the Saratoga Springs Historic Preservation Foundation for the project. Upon accepting the award, the owner said, “the house is similar to a geode, historic on the outside, but shiny and new on the inside.”
HU-884212062Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley.
The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic.
We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws.
The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year.
Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.
Old Saratoga Restorations IncorporatedDania Bagia Photography
In 2014, when new owners purchased one of the grand, 19th-century "summer cottages" that grace historic North Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Old Saratoga Restorations was already intimately acquainted with it.
Year after year, the previous owner had hired OSR to work on one carefully planned restoration project after another. What had not been dealt with in the previous restoration projects was the Eliza Doolittle of a garage tucked behind the stately home.
Under its dingy aluminum siding and electric bay door was a proper Victorian carriage house. The new family saw both the charm and potential of the building and asked OSR to turn the building into a single family home.
The project was granted an Adaptive Reuse Award in 2015 by the Saratoga Springs Historic Preservation Foundation for the project. Upon accepting the award, the owner said, “the house is similar to a geode, historic on the outside, but shiny and new on the inside.”
Old Saratoga Restorations IncorporatedDania Bagia Photography
In 2014, when new owners purchased one of the grand, 19th-century "summer cottages" that grace historic North Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Old Saratoga Restorations was already intimately acquainted with it.
Year after year, the previous owner had hired OSR to work on one carefully planned restoration project after another. What had not been dealt with in the previous restoration projects was the Eliza Doolittle of a garage tucked behind the stately home.
Under its dingy aluminum siding and electric bay door was a proper Victorian carriage house. The new family saw both the charm and potential of the building and asked OSR to turn the building into a single family home.
The project was granted an Adaptive Reuse Award in 2015 by the Saratoga Springs Historic Preservation Foundation for the project. Upon accepting the award, the owner said, “the house is similar to a geode, historic on the outside, but shiny and new on the inside.”
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