Studio 285 Architecture was retained to design an addition plus interior remodels on an existing residence built in the early 80’s. There was to commend the residence in terms of its innate character - wood finish throughout, a unique exposed wood framing system. A hybrid modern-rustic character. A very nice, wooded site in a good neighborhood with an excellent location.

But the home had certain image issues as perceived by the clients:

• It looked rather like a mushroom or spaceship ready to blast off.
• No real sense of entry.
• An un-differentiated look: it looks as much like a small office building as a residence.

To address the image issues, and make the residence more of a ‘mountain home several design elements were added:

• A porch wrapping around two sides of the house firmly grounds the residence, obviating the ‘mushroom’ look and providing a gracious and sheltered outdoor space.
• The existing dormers were changed from recessed dormers to the more traditional ‘pushed out type’. One existing dormer is covered up by new roof, two transformed into peaked dormers flanking the entry and two at the master bedroom are combined into a single shed dormer with a horizontal mass - thus creating a composition in balance with the entry and its flanking dormers.