It all began with a house fire and a rather sad scorched circa 1954 ranch…
The back wall and roof structure were damaged beyond repair, and the vinyl siding literally melted off. A covered porch at the back of the house was completely obliterated.
On the bright side, the fire left a blank canvas for ground up renovation and a small addition where the porch once stood.
Emily’s design strategy was to retain features the owner loved about her house while amplifying the fabulous ranchy-ness and improving sustainability.
The new south-facing window is shaded with lumber reclaimed from the ceiling, adding controlled light with privacy. The new roof trusses maintain the original pitch while allowing a full 12″ of insulation at the heel. The house will be heated with an HRV clean-air furnace. Previous remodels left awkward rooms, and many of the interior walls were only 1.5″ thick. At 887 SF, the house was simply too cramped. The 239 SF addition creates a spacious master suite with a new bathroom. The kitchen is now big enough for 2 cooks and their guests. The patio doors open up to a new Ipé deck, and a garden box layered with a reclaimed wood screen wall provide shade and privacy.
