Split Level Addition/Alteration, Harrison, NY by DeMotte Architects
Project type: Addition/Alteration
Completion date: Pre-2005
Architect: Brad DeMotte, R.A.
This existing house was a typical “high ranch” on a flat piece of property, which made no sense and was one of many problems the architect was charged with solving. When entering from outside, once would have to go up half a flight of stairs to reach the landing at the front door, then once inside one would have to go up or down again to get to either the upper or lower floor. As is typical for a high ranch, the upper floor consisted of a living room, dining room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom, while the lower floor consisted of a garage & a family room.
The design solution proposed by the architect was to create an entry on the ground level, with all living spaces on the first floor. The existing garage was converted to a living room and dining room, while the family room was converted to a kitchen/breakfast area and a family room. Since the existing lower level only had 8 ft. ceilings and higher ceilings were desired, house movers were brought in to jack the house up in place for masons to add 2 additional feet to the foundation.
A new two car garage was added to the left side of the original structure, and the second floor now consists of a master bedroom suite, 3 bedrooms and an office. A finished basement with 10 ft. high ceilings was created below the new garage.
With the homeowners being of Portuguese descent, they had a major role in the exterior design of the house. The walls are finished with stucco, while terra cotta clay tile was used for roofing. Marble & granite was used extensively throughout the interior, with all materials being imported from Portugal.
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