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Building a Home Design Dilemma

Addition to small older home; pros & cons of separate structure

5 years ago

We have a barely 1000 sf stone-sided home on 2.5 acres in a rural setting we love. One bedroom, one bath, very small kitchen. My husband also has a small business (music recording/production) in the home, which has been his priority. When we married last year, we knew we would want to add at least 600 sf on to the house and we have begun talking to contractors. We would like a slightly larger kitchen, a second bathroom, and a master bedroom with large, perhaps walk-in, closet. I would like to stay in tune with the style of the existing rustic old house. The basic question that I am having the most trouble with, is whether to build a regular addition to the home or a separate building attached by a covered walkway or dogtrot. If we did the latter, the kitchen would be probably be in the new section, and the old kitchen would become mostly new bathroom. The contractor we interviewed suggested the separate structure idea would save a few thousand dollars, not much in the scheme of things. But putting stone siding to match the old house on a new addition would be very costly and I suspect a different siding would make more sense visually if the structures were separate. I appreciate any thoughts.

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PRO

Virgil Carter Fine Art

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Without floor plans, it's impossible to assess the various options.

That said, adding on to older masonry buildings is a classic architectural process. Often it was done by adding a addition to one or the other end of the original building, as shown here, where numerous additons have taken place over an extended period. Note the different materials:

The suggestion of creating a new, "seperate" larger building linked with a "connector" smaller structure (either enclosed or as open air) or as in a historical dog-trot arrangement is also a good option, but often requires some changes in circulation and access from what one might normally expect.

As for the use of the same or two different materials, both have good historical examples, so neither approach should automatically be ruled out.

Your best result will be achieved through the use of a skilled and experienced architect who has done a large number of residential remodel projects.

Good luck on your project.

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Comments (20)

dan1888
5 years ago
If you can supply a floorplan for each idea you'll get feedback on practicality and function.

You can start by drawing a plan of your existing spacing to scale on graph paper with measurements.
Marjory S thanked dan1888
chiflipper
5 years ago
How many square feet are currently devoted to "the business"? Perhaps a separate studio is in order, thereby freeing up needed space within the current structure. Building a studio also has tax (deduction) implications. Adding onto a stone structure with different exterior material is rarely visually successful. Consult an Architect.
Marjory S thanked chiflipper
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violetsnapdragon
5 years ago
I went to Zillow to look at homes in Buck's County, PA - a treasure trove of old stone houses. Some of the stick additions were not so lovely, but it can be done nicely. The second photo is a new(er) home--it's a thing, even these days to do the old stone house with what look like newer additions to mimic what folks have done for centuries, as their families and fortunes grew.
Marjory S thanked violetsnapdragon
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
5 years ago
By adding onto a structure and disturbing the existing structure as little as possible can avoid a . . . (WARNING: highly technical architectural term coming) . . . can-of-worms.
Marjory S thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
User
5 years ago
I would think a separate structure would be more expensive than an addition. At any rate, there is no reason to have an unenclosed connector.
Marjory S thanked User
PRO
PPF.
5 years ago
A picture or three of the existing house might help with ideas.
Marjory S thanked PPF.
auntthelma
5 years ago
Why not move the music studio to the new structure and update the current kitchen? I wouldn’t like my kitchen in a separate building.
Marjory S thanked auntthelma
cpartist
5 years ago
Your best bet would be to engage the services of an architect to help create something that would be cohesive.

I also agree with the others to separate the recording studio.
Marjory S thanked cpartist
PRO
RappArchitecture
5 years ago
Photos and a floor plan of the existing house would be VERY helpful.
Marjory S thanked RappArchitecture
PRO
Anglophilia
5 years ago
I know what would go in any separate structure to my house! That recording studio! I don't like "home offices" that swallow a home.
partim
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I think you need to think about the music recording/production and how that will affect the use of your home. What time of day will business be operating? How can you ensure that the business can operate without being disturbed by the home's other occupants, and also that they will not be disturbed by the business?

One of our neighbors had a similar business which operated both during the day and at night. Theirs was well sound-insulated so it never disturbed us, or the other residents of the house. But for it to work well, you need to think these things through. For sound privacy, you may want separate buildings.
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The reality is that you are living in the 1000 sf sound studio and need to build a whole new 1200 sf house.
User
5 years ago
Describe the music business in greater detail including how much sound isolation is required. Describe the stone walls; are they real or simulated?
girl_wonder
5 years ago
How do you feel about walking between buildings in case you forgot something in the other part of the house? What if it's midnight or raining? A friend had suggested I build a she-shed for my office. For me, it feels like a no-go. I like to be able to move throughout my house 24 x7 (if needed). Call me lazy or a wimp, but the idea of having to go outside in the rain or cold doesn't appeal. I agree w/ what others have said--interview a couple of architects and see what they think.
lyfia
5 years ago
Here's some pictures showing just lap siding on what looks to be an addition to some stone cottages. It doesn't have to be stone if connected to the stone cottage. You do however want to really consider the flow of the addition with the existing home. An architect could be very helpful in that endeavor.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ca/89/d8/ca89d87d61d3136f263a4b15d2fb6d03.jpg

http://www.thebestproperties.com/Sugan1.jpg

http://www.hoffmanarchitectsinc.com/files/2011/10/05b.jpg

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TEX77hVkE3ObcHOMN9xVP29VcoY=/0x0:1800x1278/1200x800/filters:focal(756x495:1044x783)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57063611/33146271.0.jpg

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57e6ffe115d5db790f32a401/58b6179203596ecacd13d45e/58dd7746bebafb89753174dc/1493058933095/Cochran-+Epes004.jpg
Marjory S thanked lyfia
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
To consider two structures now is getting too far ahead in the design process. Diagram how you want the spaces to relate to each other and then see if they can be divided. Deal with the big issues, then the small ones.
Marjory S thanked User
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
Waiting patiently for some reply from poster. There are many attractive ways to add an addition to a stone or brick building. I too would like to know how much space the recording studio is using now. A floor plan and some pictures PLEASE
homechef59
5 years ago
As an appraiser, I suggest that you connect the two structures. This allows me to appraise all of it as one conditioned space. If you separate them, the valuation will be affected negatively.

As a lover of old, historic architecture, it's pretty standard to see structures that have been expanded using disparate materials.

A music studio can easily be modified to reduce the noise.
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
Love lyfia's photo of the farmhouse of Quaker farmer Gideon Gilpin in Chadds Ford, PA. It was the headquarters for the wounded Lafayette during the Battle of the Brandywine in September 1777. I've spent many days there walking, photographing and painting the area. Great history to know and understand.

I've frequently painted the Gilpin house, and the neighboring farmhouse of Quaker farmer Benjamin Ring, which General George Washington used as his headquarters.

This painting "Mother of the Hillside" is a tribute to the centurys old Sycamore along side the Gilpin house in Chadds Ford:

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