Advice from Architects:

Home Remodeling Styles:
Architectural Approaches to Home Renovation

By Laura Kraft

The issue of style is frequently raised in my architectural practice. Clients ask if I can produce designs that are "traditional," "neoclassic," "contemporary," or "high tech." They ask because the home they wish to remodel is in one of these categories and they want the new work to be consistent with the existing work. Or they ask because their house is of a disliked style or "no style," and they wish to convert it to a style that is recognizable and preferred.

I am sometimes asked if I have my own style. But remodeling is done in response to an already existing style, so when designing remodels, I work towards harmonious interaction with the style of the existing work.

The following hypothetical scenario illustrates architectural approaches to home remodeling and the context of style: Let's say a client desires a new kitchen addition to a 100-year-old house. By looking at the house and identifying how it has been laid out, constructed, and detailed, I determine that the house is Federal style. Federal style was used in the United States in the late 1700s and early 1800s, after the Colonial period and before the Greek revival style. Like any other architectural style, it is defined by a set of characteristic design choices. These affect everything from layout and massing to methods of construction, materials, and scale and degree ofornamentation.

The following are some typical Federal style choices:
• Central transverse stair hall with rooms to either side
• Stone or brick foundations
• Slender columns flanking front doors to residences
• Lunettes with patterned leaded glass
• Arched windows
• Carved sunbursts
• Dentils, cornices, and entablatures

Armed with this knowledge, it is possible to design solutions for this particular house that share Federal style's typical set of characteristics. For instance, how a porch typically attaches to a house. Or how a roofline typically accommodates an addition. Or how gable ends are typically trimmed.

This house was built 100 years ago, yet it was built 100 years after Federal style was current. So even in its day, it was a revival of an older style. Styles can come and go and come back again in architecture as they do in fashion. When working with a building of an older style, it is important to think through your attitude towards the original work. It helps to differentiate between the letter and the spirit of the style.

Following the letter of the style involves reproducing the exact qualities of the existing work. In this case, the original construction includes hand-carved wood, molded plasterwork, and leaded glass windows. These materials and processes are no longer standard practice and may be attainable only at considerable effort and exorbitant cost.

Following the spirit of the style, on the other hand, allows for compromise. Perhaps it is possible to attain proportions and textures similar to the original by substituting modern materials. For instance, where the original has fancy doors with carved panels and elaborate doorknobs, the addition could also pay special attention to doors, but the panel proportions might be slightly different than the existing, using a shelf panel door. The doorknobs might be ornamental, yet simplified. Even if this solution does not match the existing work exactly, it will reflect the spirit of the original. This design strategy consists of a particular balance of old, new, and faux old elements, made with the integrity of the whole house in mind. I endeavor to apply the strategy consistently throughout the project, from the largest design decisions of layout and mass to the smallest details. The old and the new can be made to coexist graciously.

When it comes to a kitchen, the letter of the style of an old house is usually unacceptable for modern tastes. In fact, even the spirit of the style can be seriously challenged by current kitchen needs. Microwaves, refrigerators, cooktops, under-counter lights, televisions, and the like have no place in the kitchen of a true Federal style house. But most homeowners choose to compromise authenticity for the sake of practicality when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms.

No one is going to think this addition is an authentic Federal style kitchen built just after the Revolutionary War, or even a 100-year-old kitchen, original to the house. However, for continuity with the style of the existing house, I can select colors, finishes, a cabinet style, and lighting scheme in keeping with the appearance of these elements a hundred years ago.

I must emphasize that there are no hard and fast rules to design. The approach outlined above describes how I might choose to design. Another approach to expanding the Federal style house, which might also produce wonderful results, would be to make the new work high-tech and contemporary, in distinct stylistic contrast to the existing house. This strategy would compromise the continuity of the whole finished project for authenticity of the parts. It would use contrast to tell the story of what is new and what is old.

Either method has the potential for valid and good results. Success depends upon a well-thought-through understanding of the issues of style and choices available, followed by consistent handling of design elements.

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