A few of the issues an architect will be able to help you with are design, Virginia building codes and enhancing your property’s value.  

Expanding or renovating your home is a big decision and should take into consideration:

• Property values in your neighborhood.
• The availability of other properties that may meet your needs
• Whether you can occupy the property during renovation.
• Whether your existing home and lot can comfortably accommodate an expansion of the size needed to meet your needs

A carefully planned, well-designed renovation gives the property a much higher resale value. Once you have decided to renovate, you must outline a plan of action. To create this well-designed project, you should work with an architect who has experience with renovation of homes similar to yours. A few of the issues an architect will be able to help you with are design, Virginia building codes and enhancing your property’s value. An architect achieves this by working with you to:

Define your goals for the project

Demonstrate how your needs can be met with an expansion enhancing the character and value of your home

Evaluate existing conditions in your home

Select the most appropriate and cost effective materials

Provide complete construction documents

Assist during the construction of your project

Detailed construction plans for your project allow contractors to provide a detailed and accurate cost estimate. This estimate allows for project adjustments in order to meet your budget and decrease the chance of unpleasant surprises. In creating your carefully planned, well-designed renovation, you will have to look at your house, look at your street and building code requirements.

In planning your renovation, carefully take into account the neighborhood in which your house sits. Step across the street from your home, then look back noticing the relationship between your home and the neighboring houses. Notice the trees planted in a strip of lawn between the sidewalk and curb (street trees and tree lawn); examine the similarities of roof lines and heights of the houses; observe the consistent front setback lines, front porches and the lack of garage doors facing the street. Older blocks have very few driveway curb cuts because garages are accessed from alleys.

Now look down the length of your street. Can you see the pattern established by the street trees, tree lawns, straight streets and continuity of house fronts? This is the rhythm and character that makes original Virginia neighborhoods unique. The character which makes these residential streets unique (and keeps property values high) is disrupted when changes to the tree lawn, front garden or house are done without considering the entire streetscape. The addition of curb cuts and driveways break the continuity of street trees and tree lawns, giving a suburban look to the street. Varying from the typical house setback and orientation of porches and front entries disrupts the character of the block and makes the house appear out of place.

Examine homes in your neighborhood that have additions or renovations. Notice which additions complement the original character of the house and neighborhood, which do not and why.

Looking at Your House

A well-designed renovation respects the original design of the house and takes advantage of existing architectural features. Maintaining a cohesive and unified look makes the difference between improving or harming property values.

Mass:

The shape or form that is created by the walls and roofs of a house is referred to as its mass.

Articulation is the detailing or breaking down of a house’s mass into various forms such as gables and bays. This gives the various sides of a house scale, unity and interest. When planning and designing a renovation it is critical to study the house’s existing mass, looking for ways to change or add to it in a complementary fashion.

Roof form:

The shape and slope of your roof is one of the major elements defining the architectural style of your home whether it is a Bungalow, Tudor, Denver Square or Mission Revival. Roof shapes, repeated in neighboring homes, create harmonious patterns along the street. Older homes generally have steep roof pitches. It is important to match the roof pitch of additions to existing roof pitches in order to maintain and enhance the style of your home. The highest areas of the roof should be positioned to avoid casting long winter shadows over neighbors to the north of your lot.

Details and Ornamentation:

Look for details and ornamentation on your house that can be copied on renovations and additions. For example, shingles on a second floor, dormers, fancy brackets under an overhanging roof, and trim around windows and doors. These details add interest and, when repeated, can blend the renovation into the existing house.

When original ornamentation or details need to be replaced, use similar materials in a similar style. A change of style or material can radically change the appearance of your home and may reduce it’s value.

Windows and Doors:

The size, shape and placement of windows and doors play a major role in establishing the character of your house. New openings (windows/doors) should use the same proportions and groupings as existing openings. Changing the size of existing openings or adding disproportionately-sized openings can destroy the character of a home.

Usually the orientation of windows in older homes is vertical, not horizontal. When renovating or adding large areas of windows, use several vertical units grouped together instead of one large horizontal unit in order to maintain the house’s original look.

Materials:

The original exterior materials used on your home are an important part of its character. Wherever possible the original materials should be repaired and patched rather than covered with different finishes. Additions should be finished with similar materials. Too many different exterior materials give a house a piecemeal appearance rather than a unified one. Most traditional homes have a limited number of materials, predominantly brick with wood trim. Shingles and plaster are limited to roofs, dormers,
gables and porches.

Painting natural brick will create on-going maintenance where originally it was maintenance free. However, it is difficult to match new brick to older brick, so sometimes all surfaces need to be painted for a unified appearance.