Thoughtful Solution for a Rear Addition
DC Metro Area
insights on residential architec-
ture have been published in
House Beautiful, the New York Times, Southern Living, the Washingtonian, Washington
Post, Colonial Homes and Other periodicals. Ask the Architect appears frequently in the Times Mirror news group, and has been featured in titles published by Media General, Network Communications and others.
“I stumbled onto your website. If I were to send you some pictures of our one-story ranch (1,300 ft), would you be able to suggest where to add on? I really need one extra bedroom and a bathroom. I would prefer adding to the back of the house, adjoining the back enclosed patio, which is now a playroom off the kitchen. Cannot afford to go up. Need simplicity...to accommodate every member in the family in a room.”
Answer:
Many homeowners find themselves with similar architectural problems, where an addition is desperately needed.
The Connecticut homeowner’s existing floor plan is shown below:
Here is the floor plan we suggested:
The homeowner talked to three other professionals, but none of them suggested an addition to the back of the house, where there is a dining room, bathroom, and bedroom. I mentioned building an addition at the back of the house behind the existing bedroom wing. The new wing provides space for the much-needed master suite bedroom and bath and forms a courtyard/patio off of the existing dining room. The large window in the dining room can be replaced with French doors that lead out to the new courtyard/patio.
“I think I am starting to get the vision! Thank you once again for your time and for extending your professional suggestion to Connecticut. You have given me the confidence I needed in order to be able to speak to a professional and tell them what I would like to do, instead of being told what they would like to do.”
-D.H.
Front
Back
Hopefully we’ll be able to add “after” pictures in the future, when the homeowner’s addition is completed!
Have another question? Want to know more specifics about additions for specific period style homes? Feel free to contact us! Also feel free to read about a rear Tudor home addition we completed in Northwest Washington, DC.
About Bruce
Bruce Wentworth, AIA, is a practicing architect whose insights on residential architecture have been published in House Beautiful, Southern Living, Washingtonian, Colonial Homes, and other periodicals.
