Cullis Room Addition

DanCraft Construction, Inc. was recognized by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry in the 1998 Contractor of the Year Competition for their outstanding work on this project.

Project Description
Provide a large multi-purpose room for active family with two young teenagers. Also provide 2+ car garage and plenty of extra storage. Addition to blend with a mid 19th century home.

Background
The home was built on a land grant section of 160 acres that is believed to be part of the under-ground Railroad. The modest original 1852 section has a stone foundation basement, kitchen and den on the main level, and two bedrooms above. The more elegant 1857 Federal Style street side addition (current dining and living rooms and 2 additional bedrooms) became the front of the house.

The possibility of this project first came to light while listening with “elephant ears” during the Clients Needs Assessment phase of a previous kitchen remodeling project. A family room renovation was mentioned as a possible future project. Extra care was spent developing the kitchen design so future traffic patters would work. Details were developed that could flow into the new area. Four months after completing the kitchen we were asked, “What options do we have to improve our garage and family room situation?”.

Customer Wish List
More space, more light, and higher ceilings were desired. The clients needed a separate realm for their two young teenage boys to gather at home with their friends and classmates. It was to have good access to the rear patio, a place to gather around the hearth, an open area for a pool table, and small eating area with morning sun. They also wanted at least a two car garage and lots of extra storage space.

The clients were not historical purists, but wished to maintain the essential form and integrity of the 19th century structure. They wanted to appearance of the addition to blend with, rather than match, the existing. The interior needed to be an open, light-filled space with an airy feeling that incorporated or echoed some of the existing interior details.

Approach
After an in-depth interview and site analysis, we determined the 1947 addition of a family room (cramped storage room above) and a one-car garage could not be adequately retrofitted. We also needed to take into account that due to the proximity of the driveway, the side entry, with its cramped foyer and inadequate closet, had become the entry of choice rather than the formal front door.

We discovered that by moving the placement of the garage to the west, we could add a sunny gallery that both connected the garage to the side entry and allowed southern light to fill the living area. This approach also opened up the side entry courtyard and helped create a pleasing outdoor space for the new brick paver patio.

Results
The clients were very pleased with the outcome. The results exceeded their expectations. We provided them with all that they requested and more by insisting on finding a way to get southern exposure for the living area and by keeping our attention on the outdoor spaces we were creating. They now have a sun filled room and a much better entry (an entry courtyard) and a more private and inviting patio.

The underlying factor in this successful project was teamwork. Membership in NARI introduced us as a Contractor and Architect on this, our first project together. The client and contractor had also developed mutual understanding and trust on a previous project. As a result of this trust, the client was open to suggestions and solutions, and an excellent project was the result.

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