Week 5
After going back and forth on the plans with the clients (as I had hoped the selection would be additional bedroom plus terrace option) we agreed that the third bedroom would increase the value of the house and provide room for a new baby and all in all would be a great plus. I thought this was a good compromise as I felt my lack of need for the terrace had more to do with me rather than Mrs. M who really wanted it.
I had always questioned in my mind the area above the flat roof over the living room which now would become the additional bedroom. Without the new room the house was disproportioned, the addition created the balance we were looking for. In turn the new back porch added volume, depth and three- dimensionality to the back of house.
There were a few more adjustments on the window placement and scale since we had to calibrate the size of the windows in proportion to the façade and also evaluate sash vs crank-out windows but for the most part the important decisions had been made and demolition could begin.
To me demolition is the best part of a job, I love picking up a hammer and banging on a few walls, not that I do that very often but when I do it’s very therapeutic. The moment we started demolition problems started to arise… We already knew that the foundation for the porch was sinking but there were rotted beams, lack of sufficient floor joists to support the new work, plumbing installations that were not up to code, poor or no insulation and the list goes on and on.
We discovered that they had nailed a new roof over the old roof structure without adding any additional support and that the second floor bathroom plumbing had been leaking and had almost completely rotted the beams beneath it. Before you ask, NO it was not better to knock the house down; regardless of all these obstacles my sense was that the house has enough character and that it would all work out for the best.
Needless to say hand holding with Mr. & Mrs. M was at its peak since they were in deep distress but they are worth the pain.
You can see the empty space on the left side.
Living Room looking into Foyer
Foyer lookin into the living room
Kitchen
Upstairs landing
Upstairs bedroom & bathroom
Front elevation
I wanted to show you this again so you can see how the addition of the bedroom balanced out the house.
#1 by melissa on October 15, 2010 - 3:56 pm
I have a question??
Would the owners and you assume that when you start tearing things down that you will then encounter thing that obviously one can not see, at first because of the walls and floors cover up all kinds of things in a house that old??? So, if you expect the worst and I mean the worst with the cost of redoing an old house that one would be happy when it “was not as bad’ as one thought it would be?? I also, wonder why contractors do not just give clients the worst case senerio up front so all are happy when it comes the job is done before the time the contractor has said… Keep in mind I am not in the business so these questions I have no frame work to answer my self, but I am sure others have thought theses things too????
xxxoo
Melissa
#2 by Karena on October 15, 2010 - 4:49 pm
Vicente, Starting from scratch I think would be very exciting, a really blank slate. Even if you do run into challenges!
I have a Luxurious New Giveaway on my site….Come and enter!!
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
#3 by Laura Casey Interiors on October 15, 2010 - 7:13 pm
Even in the raw space it looks like it is going to flow very well. I think the additional bedroom does balance upstairs. I am looking forward to seeing more progress!
#4 by scone on October 15, 2010 - 7:36 pm
I’m so glad you’re not going to tear down the place. Long Island has lost so many old homes, it’s nice to keep some history. And stripping it out is such a huge advantage, you can fix the code problems, put in new electrical and plumbing, new insulation, everything. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and spend the money, but in the end, it’s going to be fabulous!
#5 by Nichole @ Parlour on October 15, 2010 - 8:58 pm
Thank goodness there are people like you who see the benefit of preserving “old” houses as opposed to just ripping them down. It’s going to be a real gem when you are finished, with more character than any new house would ever have. Also, thanks for your “teaching” posts. Not sure if that is your intention, but, newer Interior Designers like myself can learn so much from the things you write in this blog. I am so grateful.
#6 by Iván Meade on October 17, 2010 - 3:07 pm
I know it a lot of trouble at the moment, but I can imagine the piece of mind that you will have at the end of the project. All the structural elements are the bones of the house, without them you don’t have a house. At the end the house will stand proudly with a new life and your client will be happy you were there supporting all the way.
It looks like is going to be a very charming project – I can’t wait to see the end result.
Cheers! Iván
#7 by Gary Nelling on October 18, 2010 - 5:57 am
Vicente – The process that you are describing is really fascinating. Would you mind also sharing how your design team is organized, and how information and funds flow throughout the project? For instance, does the general contractor work for the owners with orders from them to take direction from you, or as a consultant directly to you? Does your office provide all the architectural, engineering, interior and landscape design from in-house or are some consultants? Do all project funds flow to your office for disbursement to consultants, including the general contractor, or is the contractor and some others paid directly by the owners? In other words, do you function as a construction manager as well as team leader, architect and interior designer? How many team members, if any, other than you attend client meetings?
EM – From the demolition photos we cans easily see the limits of the original construction, and that your thesis of a small historic house surrounded on three sides by additions was correct. Good eye! That also explains why the gable-end roof over the center part of the house is not taller, since it ends at the kitchen wall with the chimney. – Gary
#8 by kathleen monarch on October 18, 2010 - 3:37 pm
Vicente- I have been wherre you are in this process with clients and builders and budgets.
On one hand you have so many incredible ideas and could bring it back to life, on the other hand there is the money pit saga and knpwing that builders tell the clients that it is less expensive to tear it down and build new. I am working on something in California now that was built in the 30′s from a well known architect that was really in ruins but had his original floors and details intact. The foundation was still good and the house is over 5000 sq ft. the inside has not been 50% demolished and the rest can be brought back. It will just cost 6 million in the end. if the bones are good go for it!!! You are the best!