Situated along the perimeter of the property, this unique home creates a continuous street wall, both preserving plenty of open yard space and maintaining privacy from the prominent street corner. A one-story mudroom connects the garage to the house at the rear of the lot which required a local zoning variance. The resulting L-shaped plan and the central location of a glass-enclosed stair allow natural light to enter the home from multiple sides of nearly every room. The Arts & Crafts inspired detailing creates a familiar yet unique facade that is sympathetic to the character and scale of the neighborhood. A chevron pattern is a key design element on the window bays and doors and continues inside throughout the interior of the home. 2022 NAHB Platinum Best in American Living Award View more of this home through #BBAModernCraftsman on Instagram.

Penza Bailey Architects designed this extensive renovation and addition of a two-story penthouse in an iconic Beaux Arts condominium in Baltimore for clients they have been working with for over 3 decades. The project was highly complex as it not only involved complete demolition of the interior spaces, but considerable demolition and new construction on the exterior of the building. A two-story addition was designed to contrast the existing symmetrical brick building, yet used materials sympathetic to the original structure. The design takes full advantage of views of downtown Baltimore from grand living spaces and four new private terraces carved into the additions. The firm worked closely with the condominium management, contractors and sub-contractors due to the highly technical and complex requirements of adding onto the 12th and 13th stories of an existing building.

Subsequent additions are covered with living green walls to deemphasize stylistic conflicts imposed on a 1940’s Tudor and become backdrop surrounding a kitchen addition. On the interior, further added architectural inconsistencies are edited away, and the language of the Tudor’s original reclaimed integrity is referenced for the addition. Sympathetic to the home, windows and doors remain untrimmed and stark plaster walls contrast the original black metal windows. Sharp black elements contrast fields of white. With a ceiling pitch matching the existing and chiseled dormers, a stark ceiling hovers over the kitchen space referencing the existing homes plaster walls. Grid members in windows and on saw scored paneled walls and cabinetry mirror the machine age windows as do exposed steel beams. The exaggerated white field is pierced by an equally exaggerated 13 foot black steel tower that references the existing homes steel door and window members. Glass shelves in the tower further the window parallel. Even though it held enough dinner and glassware for eight, its thin members and transparent shelves defy its massive nature, allow light to flow through it and afford the kitchen open views and the feeling of continuous space. The full glass at the end of the kitchen reveres a grouping of 50 year old Hemlocks. At the opposite end, a window close to the peak looks up to a green roof.

Angle Eye Photography
Traditional brown three-story stone gable roof idea in Philadelphia

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Photography by Angle Eye Photography
Example of a mid-sized classic brown two-story stone gable roof design in Philadelphia

The project’s starting point was to understand the building’s original post and beam structure and to use that internal logic to formulate a sympathetic remodel. With an emphasis on the upper back unit, the owner’s private residence within this recently purchased Edward Killingsworth triplex, the first order of business was to strip the excess out and to return the complex to something that resembled the original. With a limited budget, the tact was to restore where possible, and to insert where needed, but always with a sympathetic eye. The kitchen quickly became the primary focus and it was soon realized that by removing the division between the existing galley and family room that the essence of the structural system could be revealed. Once opened the datum of the layered beams was adhered to with the kitchen reinforcing this overhead water line. The primary internal wall was then highlighted with a new wood veneer with the refrigerator recessed (borrowing a bit of space from the master closet) and the existing heater chromed.

The two story renovation of this beach property required new stairs. Decorative steel stringers, guardrails, and handrails are sympathetic to the design of the fences and other steel structural details. The used brick walls match the brick pilasters at the garage doors.

Photography by Angle Eye Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless brown two-story stone gable roof remodel in Philadelphia

Originally a ranch, this house was lifted after Hurricane Hugo and added onto un-sympathetically at the rear. It had a strange layout with multiple levels, small bedrooms, and closed off spaces. Our task was to transform the home for modern living. Create indoor / outdoor connections to a new pool, kitchen and the everyday spaces used most. The transformation from a 'pink palace' to a modern showpiece gave the owners living space to entertain and enjoy their home with friends & extended family. Photos by Newport653

Subsequent additions are covered with living green walls to deemphasize stylistic conflicts imposed on a 1940’s Tudor and become backdrop surrounding a kitchen addition. On the interior, further added architectural inconsistencies are edited away, and the language of the Tudor’s original reclaimed integrity is referenced for the addition. Sympathetic to the home, windows and doors remain untrimmed and stark plaster walls contrast the original black metal windows. Sharp black elements contrast fields of white. With a ceiling pitch matching the existing and chiseled dormers, a stark ceiling hovers over the kitchen space referencing the existing homes plaster walls. Grid members in windows and on saw scored paneled walls and cabinetry mirror the machine age windows as do exposed steel beams. The exaggerated white field is pierced by an equally exaggerated 13 foot black steel tower that references the existing homes steel door and window members. Glass shelves in the tower further the window parallel. Even though it held enough dinner and glassware for eight, its thin members and transparent shelves defy its massive nature, allow light to flow through it and afford the kitchen open views and the feeling of continuous space. The full glass at the end of the kitchen reveres a grouping of 50 year old Hemlocks. At the opposite end, a window close to the peak looks up to a green roof.

Photography by Angle Eye Photography
Mid-sized elegant brown two-story stone gable roof photo in Philadelphia

The project’s starting point was to understand the building’s original post and beam structure and to use that internal logic to formulate a sympathetic remodel. With an emphasis on the upper back unit, the owner’s private residence within this recently purchased Edward Killingsworth triplex, the first order of business was to strip the excess out and to return the complex to something that resembled the original. With a limited budget, the tact was to restore where possible, and to insert where needed, but always with a sympathetic eye. The kitchen quickly became the primary focus and it was soon realized that by removing the division between the existing galley and family room that the essence of the structural system could be revealed. Once opened the datum of the layered beams was adhered to with the kitchen reinforcing this overhead water line. The primary internal wall was then highlighted with a new wood veneer with the refrigerator recessed (borrowing a bit of space from the master closet) and the existing heater chromed.

New living room has exposed beams that cantilever to cover south-facing terrace. Continuous soffit sets height for doors and sofa alcove with clerestory windows above. Walls are all rough sawn fir plywood. Dual sliding glass doors open onto terrace. Scott Mayoral photo

Preserving the character of an historic home with sympathetic design ideas. Especially, helping our clients navigate the design and preservation building process. New Addition with Kitchen/Family Room with Master Suite above.

This Tudor house was built in the early 1930’s in a historic district that became known as the Cheelcroft Section of Hohokus. The characteristic features that distinguish these homes reflect the old world charm of stone facades, slate roofs and decorative half-timber and stucco siding. Morpurgo Architects’ clients’ request for a Master Bedroom Suite, kitchen extension and ancillary areas resulted in our designing for their home sympathetic additions with complex roof intersections. We also created an accessory building that includes a 3-car garage with a media and entertainment room above. In keeping with the Tudor details of the main residence, this structure incorporates retrofitted steel windows and doors. The additions to the house and the plan for the garage fit seamlessly with this classic 80-year-old Tudor.

photo byJoe Kitchen this project is an historically sympathetic addition to a ca. 1910 house
Traditional exterior home idea in Philadelphia

Innovative design and smart planning create a lush, private outdoor space. This client’s outdoor courtyard came with a number of interesting challenges—including limited access, structural hurdles, and existing landscape design. The D. A. Dunlevy team built a custom ramp to create ingress from the street, allowing us to bring in all of the materials and plantings.The courtyard has been transformed into a private, tucked-away place for the owners to relax with morning coffee, escape with a good book, or provide an overflow area for visiting guests. The design remained sympathetic to existing architecture and landscaping, utilizing black granite stepping stones and other elements to create cohesion. Clean lines were established with a modern custom bench and stone planter wall. The greenery was chosen to create a simple and structured feel, using narrow European Hornbeam trees for an aerial hedge and adding in boxwoods, nandina, hellebores, and creeping Jenny to round out the verdant, calming effect.

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