The house is now complete. Kate and Drew have been moved into the former attic space for several weeks now, and the pictures and furniture have all found their new homes. We though we’d take a short trip back and see how the addition has changed the house.
From the outside, there is very little that has changed. Except for the discrete addition of dormers, the house is substantially the same as it was. Powell Construction believes that an addition which doesn’t look like an addition is a successful project, meaning that the designer and owner are sympathetic to the existing building and have not over-built or ignored “what the house wants to be”. At the same time, the dormers are the critical element in the overall design, creating the additional volume necessary for the essential functions of the new space: bedroom, bathroom, study and the required circulation space.
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After
Recalling what the attic actually looked like in the beginning is a testament to the vision of Kate and Drew. The surprising part to them is how much space was really there. Again, the dormers were the key element in acquiring the full use of the existing floor space. The dusty, dark attic corner where Kate envisioned herself reading a book while looking out over the river is now a reality. The addition of new windows and skylights brightens the space during the day without the need for artificial light.
Before
After
Whenever a second-story addition is considered, the most challenging element to deal with is the new staircase. In this instance, the stair is used as a focal point, making a welcoming gesture from the front door and creating a dynamic backdrop in the living room. The additional light spilling down the stair-well into the entry and living room also adds drama to the space.
Before
After
Before
After
We hope you have enjoyed following this project through all of its stages. We would also like to thank Kate and Drew for choosing Powell Construction as the team to bring their dream to fruition.