Homestead Remodel/Addition

The Homestead Design was a remodel and addition. The original antique log cabin was built in 2000 and contained ~ 2,000 sq.ft. finished. The new owners (2019) loved the layout of the original cabin minus the size of the main floor primary bedroom and ensuite. It was too tight, and it also did not provide for access to the bathroom from the main level living area without going through the primary bedroom. This did not flow as this was the only bathroom on this level of the home. In addition, the owners were looking for one level living experience to the future of ownership as they got up in their years.

The neighborhood this cabin resides in has strict architectural guidelines that call for all homes in the community to be and stay looking like antique log homes. In addition, finishes at grade must be finished in stone.

There is an allocation for a percentage of the home to be completed in other than exterior log, but the new owners wanted to stay with the log exterior and were looking for a way to add a two-car garage as part of the addition and blend the finishes from the old with that of the new addition. The existing cabin sits at 4,100’ vertical and has splendid 180-degree sun rise views out toward Mt. Jefferson. The addition was to include a new master suite that looks out over these views with a two-car garage below with doors on the opposite side of the addition.

The main challenge was establishing a footprint for the addition that allowed for access to the two-car garage, while also allowing the configuration and alignment of the master suite to the existing structure. The new addition goal was to not cause the existing structure to be significantly reconfigured. The build site changes grade quickly and contains several unmovable boulders and other infrastructure challenges. The rear of the addition also had to extend down grade at the foundation and this posed challenges for containing the garage pad.

The scope of this project in addition to the standard concept design had to include a site plan which could take the topo into consideration and as such the site plan and topo were added to the base scope of the Conceptual Design Portfolio.

The design came together only after qualifying multiple options with the owners on layout and features and size of addition. Additions to existing structures, especially those built to assimilate an architecture style from the late 1800s requires a fine eye to design the addition so that it fits with the existing structure.

The result of the process was a remodel of the existing bedroom to function as a craft room/office and the remaining bathroom space to be reconfigured for a powder room/laundry. The area has a walk through to a “vestibule” for the master suite that also serves for storage and linen closet for the main floor.  This vestibule structure on the main floor functions as a “breeze way on the lower level, allowing a service door access off the front of the cabin to a mudroom. Ideal drop zone for post high country hikes.  Where the one-car garage had been is converted to a workshop and storage of the kayaks and mountain bikes.

The new master suite and two-car garage on the lower level is a footprint of 25’ x 25’.  All mechanical for the new master suite is serviced by an attic heat pump while the lower garage is serviced through the addition of soffit in the breezeway to bring heat to this space.  As the existing main floor bedroom was converted from a bedroom to an office with no closet, the septic was not required to be expanded.

The master suite includes his and her sink areas and large “jack and jill'' closet access to allow two points of entry to the bathroom from the master bedroom. Cathedral ceilings, a floor to ceiling stacked stone fireplace and large slider glass doors to access a private deck provide for the perfect get-a-way for the owners. This addition significantly improved the flow and livability of their cabin and provided them a cozy and updated environment to live in the colder months of the year. The addition also provided for more storage and utility space for crafts and to be able to work out of the home.

The key to this design was the availability of 3D and ability to show in rooms the effect of changes in 3D. The clients are thrilled and cannot wait to get this built!