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Home , Overhang (architecture)

HOME & DESIGN

BY JOHN BYRD

Photo Credit: Greg Hadley Decision CircaSplit 1960’s Split-level Reinvented in a Spacious Neoclassical Style To expand a ’s main living area, Sun Design Remodeling added a 300 square- foot addition, introduced a front verandah with foyer, and elaborated the whole in an entirely new architectural language.

n 1984, Jack and Marie Torre purchased a circa 1960’s improvements that can occur when owners set their sights on split-level on a half acre lot in Fairfax. At nearly 3,000 new possibilities. I square-feet, it was a perfect spot to settle down and raise two children. The schools nearby were excellent; there was an In fact: the former split-level is no longer merely a house. It’s easy commute to work, but there were some things about the the Torre’s long-term residence, and one that is both substantially property the Torres thought they might improve—should they larger and iterated in a completely new architectural language stay in residence long enough. “The ideal of long-term ownership is the option to create a A -cluttered with builder grade finishes, for residence that becomes more supportive of favored activities and instance; no powder on the home’s main level; space- aesthetic preferences,” says Craig Durosko, founder and chariman restricted . of Sun Design Remodeling. “We are finding this kind of on-going commitment to personalizing a residence much more frequently Skip ahead almost two decades, though, and the whole house than in decades past.” remodel by Sun Design Remodeling that the public was invited to see earlier this month firmly demonstrates the kind of sweeping Durosko was at the house January 9 to greet neighbors who wanted to learn more about whole house remodeling. Sun

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(At right) At over twice the size of its predecessor, the Torre’s beautifully articu- lated gourmet kitchen invites a substantial increase in natural light. (Below) The split-level’s former bow was converted to a set of French which overlook the new vernada. Though the seamless execution makes the addition hard to detact, the dining room beyond the fireplace is actually in the home’s new dining room wing.

At the top of the “wish list,” the couple wanted a larger, more functional kitchen, plus a larger dining room with distinctive formal elements, including a tray .

There should be a dedicated with a view of the tree-lined back yard, and a spacious powder room on the same as the kitchen.

The substantially enlarged gourmet kitchen envisioned would require a butler’s , and a wine refrigerator.

Still more challenging: the couple wanted to enter their home’s primary living area directly from the front rather than ascending seven steps within a cramped ground-level foyer.

With these goals articulated, the problem for the design team was how best Design guided the Torres through every area. Because of these factors, we thought to implement critical components within step of a comprehensive makeover. we were prohibited from enlarging the a well-integrated whole. Many guests seem surprised at the foyer, or expanding our living space project’s scope; that the vision had such around the kitchen.” Since new enclosed space couldn’t be continuity and coherence. added on the rear, the east side of the More recently, with their life as empty- house was designated for the new dining The Torres, meanwhile, are quick to room/sitting room wing. acknowledge that Sun Design’s architectural nesters imminent, the couple was actively considering relocation. A chance visit solution came as a revelation—especially Still more problematic: under the since they had hired architects on two to a remodeled split-level by Sun Design current floor plan template, one entered separate occasions to develop plans that not far from their house, however, the house from a narrow front foyer— soon proved infeasible. convinced Marie to once again consider ascending to a main level that segued to the (left), a set of staircases “We couldn’t add onto the rear because the remodeling option. heading in two directions (right), or the of set-back restrictions,” Jack Torre kitchen straight ahead. explains. “The bigger problem, though, Shortly after the viewing, the Torres set was a six-foot overhang in front, and up a meeting with Sun Design’s president the seven steps required to walk from the Bob Gallagher, and several previously CONTINUED ON PAGE 78 ground level foyer to the primary living unconsidered options emerged.

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(Above) The new front elevation to the Torre (At right) The roof overhang to this circa- home is elaborated in neoclassical themes 1960’s split-level was thought to restrict any that respond to an enlarged floorplan incorpo- practical consideration to re-designing the rating both a 300 square foot addition and a home’s front elevation. On two occasions, spacious front . the family hired architects to develop a solution--but nothing feasible resulted. BEFORE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 77 accommodates the square footage we the roof from eight feet to nine feet makes needed to reconfigure the interior of the the room feel substanially larger. What lacked, Gallagher observes, was main living area.” a “procession” in which unfold in Better yet, the remade rear elevation— an orderly, inviting sequence, even as The resulting interior revolves around which includes a bump-out with three sight lines coax the eye with intriguing two comparatively modest additions, divided light and relocated French visual continuum. albeit, enclosed spaces that substantially enlarge the home’s main level. doors—invites abundant natural light. “The structural issue was finding an optimal way raise the front door to the The 44 square-foot foyer now situated on “This is really a completely different main level of the house,” Gallagher recalls. a new front is perfectly aligned with a house,” says Marie, “But one that is much front door that opens directly into a center “This would require extending the more satisfying to occupy.” front foyer eight feet to get past the hall, setting up entry into the living room or existing roof overhang. We also needed kitchen just a few feet beyond. Sun Design Remodeling frequently to re-design the front elevation to better sponsors tours of recently remodeled Meanwhile, the 300 square feet added rationalize the difference between the as well as on home to the home’s west side a formal grade at ground-level and the home’s remodeling topics. Headquartered in dining room and an adjacent rear-of-the main living area—a distance of about house sitting area. Burke, the frm maintains a second ofce in seven feet.” McLean. For information: 703.425.5588 or What evolved was not merely a The room includes a two-sided www.SunDesignInc.com. v larger foyer, but an improved and more also visible in the living room. AUTHOR: John Byrd has been writing about appropriate architectural context in the The enlarged kitchen accommodates a residential , and remodeling form of a spacious, classically apportioned custom-designed banquette and multiple for 30 years. His work has appeared in House storage . front verandah that surrounds and Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Southern Living presents the front entrance to the home. and many national and regional publications. He Marie says the gourmet kitchen now in has also written and produced segments for HGTV place provides spaces for all her cooking “We were delighted as the plans for and other cable outlets. His work has received the front elevation began to shape up,” utensils, even items that used to be stored numerous Press Association awards for excellence recalls Marie Torre. “It’s a completely in the . Moreover, replacing the in journalism. He can be reached at byrdmatx@ new architectural style, yet perfectly roof over the main living area and raising gmail.com or www.HomeFrontsNews.com.

78 TYSONS v MARCH // APRIL 2016 VIVATYSONS.COM