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Entry way dilemma

last year

We designed a 2200 sq ft cottage in a small beach community on cape cod, MA. The original design contemplated a ground level entry way and a walkout patio in back as shown below. Our problem is the builder, in an effort to raise the house to enhance the view, built a 3 ft knee wall and now the entry door is 4 ft off the ground and the sliders from the kitchen and the downstairs bedroom are 6 ft above ground. We're looking for alternatives to tearing down the sticks and ripping up the foundation.

First picture is the entry way as designed followed by the as build (in process). Second set of pics are the back patio area.

Any opinions on how we can deal with this with a design that fits an understated beach community dotted with many small cottages from the 1950s & 60's?

Thank you.

Comments (18)

kodiac23
last year
Don’t you have approved plans? The builder cannot just randomly change the elevation. You’ll never pass inspection. Is this a filed permitted change?
Lyn Nielson
last year
you could terrace down to ground level... have you maxed out your setbacks already?
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A challenge! I'd recommend adding a see-through room-divider to the top of the half-wall, perhaps in a lattice or Moroccan style motif to create some separation without losing light. And I agree with adding a bench below the half-wall, too. I don't think there's much to be done about the proximity between the front and back doors unless you're willing to move the back door to a different location. My concern is one of safety: that back door is directly opposite the stairs which seems like an accident waiting to happen. Some room divider inspo:
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Here is an idea for you. Minimal framing and it would open up the kitchen space: 1. tear out the pantry and the internal walls of the powder room and the powder room sink. 2. Frame in a pocket door and solid wall for the powder room, reorienting the door. 3. change up the sink in the powder room for a very minimal thin sink hung on the wall across from the toilet and change the toilet to a round bowl that takes up less space. 4. Frame in a new wide archway to the dining room that is next to the stairwell 5. eliminate the existing door to the dining room 6. counters along the exterior wall with sink under window and cooktop on exterior wall for venting 7. countertop along dining room wall anchored by a double oven 8. refrigerator and pantry along opposite wall from sink - can make pantry depth of standard depth fridge to save on appliance cost - pantry can be doors with shelves all around or cupboards with pull outs. 9. island with 42" space to sink area and aligned with dining room opening 10. not to worry about work triangle with fridge because island becomes prep space see sketch:
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Paul F.
last year
Must be a hell of a view to have done that without your consent. He must of thought he was doing your a favor.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
last modified: last year

IMO an entry solution more like what you see below is appropriate for this house. Certainly NO ARCHED WINDOWS!
PRO
RappArchitecture
last year
Did you agree to raising the house? If so, then it's on you and you'll have steps somewhere at the front and back. If not, stop work immediately and have the house built the way it was designed.
Dave Vellante
Original Author
last year
We have a 25' setback in front to work with to get up to the 4 ft entry. Thinking different levels with stone. We don't want a wooden staircase and are looking at possible landscape architectural alternatives that aren't out of character with a quaint neighborhood.
Dave Vellante
Original Author
last year
Thanks for the responses. It was a misunderstanding between the engineer, the builder the inspector and us. We're not pointing fingers rather we're looking for options that aren't - for the lack of a better word - ugly.
Dave Vellante
Original Author
last year
Perhaps within the 25' setback we could create 2 levels and get to something like this
marylut
last year
In the back can you add a deck level with the sliders, and a set of steps into the yard? Can you terrace the front approach with a series of steps as wide as the front entry?
marylut
last year
Beverly makes a great observation that the window above the front door seems out of character for the exterior.
Dave Vellante
Original Author
last year
Yes Mary thank you. The window was just a "high school hack" I put together to test the look. It's not a concern. The solution you propose in the front sounds like a good path.

Question - is it possible to avoid a wooden deck in back and build up a hardscape? Or even build a wooden structure and put a hardscape on top and around it with plantings? Is that crazy?
G H
last year
We live in hilly neighborhood so the front door is at ground level and the back is on (approx) 3-4’ stem wall. Excuse the dirty steps as it’s the rainy season here. This will give you an idea of what having the step down looks like in real life. Enjoy your home
Lorraine Leroux
last year
It is not crazy to have a hardscaped deck. They are fairly new on the market but they use a steel framed base with porcelain tiles as the decking. Try your search for "hardscape decking" as the key words. I am sure you will find someone locally.
Dave Vellante
Original Author
last year
Much obliged GH & Lorraine!
jayapple21
last year
last modified: last year
Sorry this doesn't answser your dilemma, Dave, but at least you are getting some of the design glitches worked out before the house is complete. Looking at the sample you showed of the house with the gray shingles/white trim, wouldn't you think the architect and or builder would have centered the entry doors + covered entry with the second story window immediately above it? I don't think what we're seeing is due to the photographer's location because the shot is front on. I wonder if the homeowner has ever noticed it?
Dave Vellante
Original Author
last year
Yes Jay thank you. It's hard to see on the pictures but the left hand side is not flush with the entry section of the house. It's jogged back - this area that's highlighted is pushed back several feet.
jayapple21
last year
Different houses, Dave. I think yours is going to be handsome - we can tell you are giving the design of your new home a lot of consideration. I was referring to the front of the building shown in this photo:

Maybe the designer/architect lined things up but the contractor/builder misread the plans or didn't 'step back and look at it'?
Dave Vellante
Original Author
last year
OMG Jay that's hilarious! You're right it's left of center. Imagine you build that beautiful entry way every time you walk in the house you'd twitch.

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