Status| unbuilt

The location of this project is within a stone’s throw from Scarborough Beach in the southern most part of Narragansett. The client’s family has enjoyed this summer beach house for a number of years as a departure from their homestead in New Jersey. The home recently was water damaged during the winter months by a broken pipe that flooded the crawlspace below. The client is now looking to add more living functionality to the house and prepare accommodations for future decades of guests.

Currently the house is 970sf of inhabitable area, containing 3 small bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen and living room. A new second floor will be added with 2 more bedrooms, a bath, and a family room overlooking the ocean. A third story viewing room is proposed to take advantage of the location and view.

The design of the house is based on simple modern forms that make reference to ocean movements and generate interior volumetric spaces, much like the void formed by a surfer’s pipeline wave. Exterior materials will be selected to compliment the concept and window placement will be designed to picture frame the views of the ocean and horizon. Being a seasonal summer home, emphasis is placed on a passive wind design that will cool the home during the summer months. This will be achieved utilizing a centrally located stair as a vertical exhaust mechanism.

preliminary design images: 10/30/09

Status| unbuilt

This project is about adding functionality to an existing post war gambrel roof two story dutch colonial. The owners are requesting various upgrades primarily focused on a new kitchen, master bedroom suite and piano room. The house is in good sound condition and has not been upgraded since its construction.

One objective is to transform the appearance of the house due to the solidity of the gambrel roof form. By adding a new front porch and upper story dormers the house begins to look more rural and appropriate for its 3 acre site. The kitchen was originally built as a bonus room on the left side of the house, ideally the owner would like to connect the kitchen to the garage for direct interior access and add a mudroom. The new kitchen area will also include a dining area, butler’s pantry and outdoor area under the new porch. A new addition will be added to the right side of the house in the form of a unique eight sided piano room with windows on each side, creating a pavilion like setting with the outdoors. A third addition is at the back of the house for the master bedroom suite.

The project is currently in a very initial feasibility phase in order to set a construction budget and determine the project scope. The owners are interested in maximizing off-grid energy sources and are considering alternative GREEN technologies.

UPDATE: The Owner has changed their mind and is now looking to sell the property on account of construction cost vs. property value.

design review

Status| complete (winter 2009)

The owners of this residence desired a spacious kitchen and dinning room transformation to accommodate their lifestyle in their 50’s beach house.

The house, located on the eastern shoreline of the Kickemuit River, has seen transformation over the years. Initially constructed as a 2 story with garage below, the previous owner had already added a family room. However the original galley kitchen was better suited for making sandwiches rather than family meals. 

[svgallery name="heald final"]

Also included in the addition/renovation is a new 1/2 bath, remodel of the main bathroom, and radiant floor heating throughout the new stone flooring. The house exterior was also completely repainted, new gutters and downspouts, and the addition/replacement of several energy efficient windows. Plans to enhance landscape are set for the near future. 

existing conditions|
[svgallery name="heald existing conditions"]

construction progress|
[svgallery name="heald construction"]

design models and renderings| the addition was derived from obtaining maximum ceiling height within the existing low framing conditions. A roof with a shallow slope was used to frame the addition between the living and kitchen area. At the kitchen, the ceiling is raised to follow the sloped gable roof and allow natural lighting to enter the space. A formal use of symmetry is used to organize the spatial elements and also define the room functions. Two furniture cabinets are used to separate kitchen from dinning, and two lower furniture cabinet with shelves are use to traverse the axial arrangement as bookends.

[svgallery name="heald design"]

Status| complete (winter 2008)

The owners of the house are newcomers to the RI area and have settled here for career opportunities. They were able to acquire the home at an affordable price and were looking to renovate the house to suit their lifestyle.

Essentially the house is a typical “four-square”, 2-story plus walk-up attic and full basement. The owners’ request was to add more area to the kitchen and master bedroom quadrant of the house. The kitchen is expanded by 130SF, while the upstairs bedroom gains 210 SF with a new master bedroom and walk in closet. A front wrap around porch is also added to reflect the owners’ southern influences and provide “curb appeal” to the property.

[svgallery name="elkins final exterior"]

“We are EXTREMELY PLEASED with your help in our project. And strongly believe without your participation the project would not have come out as fantastic as it did. If we buy land and build in this area we’ll be giving you a call!” - the client

Also included in the addition/renovation is a complete rebuild of all interior walls and millwork, exterior insulation, new windows, new siding, new electrical and energy efficient heating and ventilation systems. A new backyard deck is also part of the design and plans to rebuild a new garage are set for the neat future.

existing conditions|
[svgallery name="elkins existing conditions"]

construction progress|
[svgallery name="elkins construction"]

competed interior|
[svgallery name="elkins final interior"]

design models and renderings| the design process was based on a seamless integration of old and new with considerations for neighborhood context and property value. One important change made to the original design is the flat roof/patio over the two story addition instead of extending the roof and creating additional home gym space on the third floor.
[svgallery name="elkins design"]