Look at home renovation as an equation. Not a simple geometric equation or addition equation, but something more akin to what you might find on a college algebra final exam.
Many variables need to be considered when remodeling: the budget, contractors, existing space, timeline, city inspectors, appliances, interior designers, homeowners associations, local ordinances and pre-existing structural integrity to name a few. These variables then need to equal a final product that closely resembles what the residents originally envisioned.
This clichéd metaphor is not meant to detour those who fumble around with math from improving their home, but rather to encourage those who want to improve their home to speak with an architect before beginning a new project.
“The architect pulls together all of the needs and desires of the homeowner to create the home that works for them,” explains Anne Olson, A.I.A., president of Olson Architecture Inc.
In 2006 Anne began working with the Edwards family of Boulder to recreate the home that would work for them. The project would eventually win an award for the “whole house-luxury remodel” category in the 2008 Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence, sponsored by the Remodelors Council of Metro Denver. The Edwards’ home presented similar challenges that many other homeowners may have to face one day.
“The Edwards are a baby boomer couple, with a college age son and a mother who might need a place to live,” Olson points out. “The home was designed for this stage of their life.”
First and foremost, the family needed more space in their 824-square-foot historic bungalow to make cohabitation more manageable. Olson began drawing up plans to add onto the existing structure.
“You have to see the house and listen to the clients,” Olson says. “Figure out what their situation is and what they want with the house.”
The Edwards’ dream renovation included a second floor master suite with a scenic overview of Mount Salinas, a home office, an improved living room situation that would be more suitable for entertaining, a main level suite for their mother, and a bottom level apartment for their son. But in order to get the addition approved by the city landmark board, some concessions had to be made by Olson and her firm.
“We had to completely change our original concept to conform with the request of the landmarks board,” said Olson. “Our original desire was to maintain all of the exterior stone walls and add a second floor.”
The city landmark board requested that the historical integrity be preserved. The Edwards wanted to respect the board’s wishes and asked the architecture firm to go back to the original drawings and modify them accordingly.
Now more than ever, municipalities, neighbors and homeowners associations are playing a bigger role in the decision as to what kind of a renovation will be built. With so much power over the renovation outside of the homeowner’s grasp, the architect has to compensate by knowing all of the rules and building codes to find a plan that will work for everyone.
With considerable neighborhood acclaim, Olson’s revision was a success. The addition was built on the lot behind the family’s bungalow. Exterior materials, which matched the existing home, were added to the new section to secure a cohesive appearance between old and new. Most of the original roof, back wall and entrance remained untouched.
The bungalow that was once 824 square feet is now 3,455 square feet; perfect to accommodate the entire family.
“The new floor plan perfectly meshed with the lifestyle needs of a boomer family in 2008,” Olson explains.
The Newlands Neighborhood in Boulder, where the project was completed, is an area that often faces resistance to remodeling because the residents like to keep the historical motif intact. Olson and her team were able to recognize this. By keeping an eye on the big picture and working closely with their clients, they were able to find a solution that suited everyone.
Casey Cisneros is a Loveland-based freelance writer.
