The Ninth Installment: Creating Secondary Entrances with Historic Sensitivity and Dignity

The challenge we as architects and developers face in the 21st century is to recognize value in the existing built environment and utilize that value as a framework for responding to contemporary living requirements. With this concept in mind, “curb appeal” or street identity, becomes an extremely important element of focus while pursuing an adaptive re-use of an existing building structure, historically-significant or not.

In the previous post, we proposed revisions to the existing primary entrance to the building that would complement the historic architectural significance of the building with functionally useful accoutrements in the form of a covered entry and raised bed landscaping to overcome architecturally offensive railings.

We also introduced a proposal to define more “street prominence” to a secondary access way to the rear of the property. An attached pergola provides weather protection for mail retrieval while pronouncing entry in the form of a garden gateway.

THE BACK DOOR
As we traverse a confined access way to the rear of the property,we find an opportunity to liberate space by eliminating an obsolete service entrance.

Upon arriving at the Southeast corner of the existing main structure, we are exposed again to a more open and inviting space, an opportunity to create a sense of arrival.

In this space, at the confluence of the East wing with the main structure, a secondary, yet inviting entrance becomes an important opportunity.
The easternmost façade of the East wing will be further modified in the next post! Stay tuned

The Eighth Installment: In a Historic District, the Most Important Facade

This marks another significant point in our online journey toward seeking an acceptable and beneficial use for the structure located at 1314 2nd St. SW in Roanoke’s “Old Southwest Historic District.” In this post, we will present proposed architectural modifications to the existing structure related to the most publicly dominate facade. past years, we know that it served as a single-family residence and most recently, as a governmentally subsidized “half-way house” for at-risk citizens. Public safety concerns (egress) and contemporary needs (cooling) have inflicted architecturally destructive requirements on the original structure.

The existing entrance from Second St. has been modified in past years to accommodate convenient access by handicapped persons. Historically, as a society, we have focused more attention to physical access needs in the last 30 years. The currently existing solution, while admirable in its functional accommodation, inflicts an awkward, “institutional –looking” element on the curbside entrance. Further, since the old carriage house in the rear has served as a quaint, private residential apartment, the mailbox location for that residence located adjacent the primary entrance to the building imposes inferior value to the public access through the dark, alley-like walkway corridor to the carriage house.

While the carriage house may be sacrificed as a viable residential space, the establishment of an important entrance with “curb-appeal” and presence on Second Street is important to accomplish a successful adaptive re-use of the existing building with a second duplex unit created in the rear half of the primary structure.

In the above proposal we eliminate the steel pipe railing, extend the existing pediment detailing to produce a protective porch entry to the primary entrance and install raised planting beds along the existing concrete ramp. A second “Garden-gate” like entry is introduced on the right side of the building to accommodate one or two mailboxes at a Defined entry to the rear. The architectural detailing carefully reflects the character of the existing side service entry.

COLOR SCHEME

The color scheme is an EXTREMELY important element related to accurate historical reflection upon the architectural character of buildings. While Classical Greek and Roman Architecture have been portrayed as being monochromatic, recent archaeological studies have revealed a dramatic use of color in our historical icons.

As the above photo shows, as recently as 2008, the ARB approved color changes that accepted further deviation from the historical design intent. The second story shingle siding, which appears to have been replaced with a synthetic representation of the original, imposes a dramatic deviation on the original architectural intent. The same is true of the colors of the entry door and the painted stucco on the first level.

Parts of shutter hardware hinges reveal that the widows in the second level full dormer originally included fully functional shutters. The style and colors of these shutters offer a strong historic reflection of the original design of the building.

As a teaser, we might consider how this building might appear with a more earthy color scheme that would include natural colors for stucco, dark-stained colors for shingle siding and moldings, with intense saturated colors for accent details.

While a greatly revised color scheme from what is observed in the 2008 photo, as well as the current scheme, is most desirable; we will reserve a proposal for color scheme changes for later in this project.

The Seventh Installment

This marks a significant point in our online journey toward seeking an acceptable and beneficial use for the structure located at 1314 2nd St. SW in Roanoke’s “Old Southwest Historic District.” In past years, we know that it served as a single-family residence and most recently, as a government subsidized “half-way house” for at-risk citizens. Public safety concerns (egress) and contemporary needs (cooling) have inflicted architecturally destructive requirements on the original structure.

As we proceed through architectural considerations of the building’s interior we will observe criticisms of the original design. Such criticisms are not intended to give free license to destruction of historically significant architectural features. The criticisms are intended to serve as observations of functional applicability to serve beneficially for the proposed use within a framework of aesthetically historic sensibility.

Based upon permitted uses according to the City of Roanoke Zoning Ordinance, I have assumed the ARB concurs with the proposal to create two duplex dwelling units within the main structure with the caveat that the current use of the “carriage house” be abandoned. Neither my client, nor myself, as his professional advisor, believe that the abandonment of the “carriage house” as a dwelling unit is desirable or appropriate. Such use is limited by a  property area requirement in the Roanoke City Zoning Ordinance. We continue to seek solutions that will economically permit preservation and restoration of the “carriage house” structure.

As my architectural obligation relates to the important arena of historic preservation, it is my charge to identify the unique examples of historic significance and offer judgment on my client’s behalf regarding the elements that should be restored or preserved and those which might be improved or altered, under H-2 Historic District, Architectural Guidelines: Old Southwest as provided by the City of Roanoke.

A. The front entry location should be preserved and the entry door will be replaced with a door that is more representative of the architectural style and period. A later detail will follow. An opportunity exists to address a shortcoming of the original design: realizing this facade faces almost due west, the entry door suffers extreme temperature fluctuations causing rapid material degradation of the front door. Further, the front entry lacks protection from rain and therefore renders it less hospitable from weather conditions in addition to exposing the door to weather extremes. A later design proposal of details will be provided to eliminate the “industrial” railing in addition to responding to the deficiencies noted above.

B. The original living room contains architectural detailing akin to the Dutch Colonial styling including stair detailing, a bay window, and ceiling treatment with simulated beams. The owner intends to restore and preserve these elements.

C. The bay window in the living room space provides desirable day-lighting as well as “openness” to the stair to the upper level. However, its location is awkward aesthetically in context with the balance of the room’s interior. Its proximity to the adjacent masonry structure of the fireplace makes the “minimized” sash lighted panel s on the right side of the bay difficult to maintain. This presents a very unique condition which was originally addressed in a way that encourages preservation as a truly “unique” historic element. It appears that these side sashes were carefully modified to reduce the width of glass within the panes of the sash from a normal of 7 to 8 inches down to nearly 1 inch!!! Perhaps, an unjustifiable modification functionally, but extraordinarily interesting! The owner wishes to preserve this element of the original building.

D. The service entrance previously described on the Southern facade is an element of the original construction that will be considered for major modification to the original structure. When considering this location as the major entry to a duplex living unit, nearby access to a stair to the upper level is a primary circulation consideration. Ideally, if this were used as an entry the stair to the second level for the 2nd duplex unit would be located in this space. However, the use of this space for vertical access would greatly impact the functional use of other interior spaces regarding compatible spatial relationships as well as plumbing and utility needs. A major modification to the original structure will be later proposed in this area.

E. On half of a pair of high casement windows is currently blocked off from use by either the early addition or plan modification of the East wing. It is possible that the window was blocked off when a suspected exterior porch area in the East wing was enclosed. One of the casements still serves to provide light to a small toilet area. These windows may be removed, restored and relocated in our design proposal.

F. An apparently enclosed exterior porch area currently houses a service stairway to the second level. The space appears to have a high potential for adaptive re-use as a “scissor stair” and entry area for the 2nd duplex unit.

G. An awkward enclosure also noted in the Fifth Installment will be removed if possible.

H. The existing kitchen area will be completely remodeled in a style sympathetic with the historic character of the building.

I. The original dining room is one of the most attractive rooms in the building and will be restored.

J. The casements in the enclosed sun porch will be restored.



As we conclude this installment, I believe it is becoming increasingly clear that this is clearly another high quality “catalogue” home which seems to be so prevalent in the Roanoke area particularly during the period of time it was constructed. While some of the design elements reflect the craftsman-style such as plate rail high wainscots in the dining area, decorative exposed beam end cuts under the bay windows, shed roofed dormers on the second level and the use of stucco and cedar shingles as exterior finishing materials; moldings and detailing are more akin to “Dutch colonial” characteristics. It is my understanding that “catalogue” homes often drew from a variety of architectural styling and often were a kind of “mix and match” expressions of designers of the time. From this point forward I’ll leave categorization of historical styles to those more expert than myself.

For the educational benefit of all, I encourage everyone to offer opinions regarding the historically important architectural elements of this structure.

The Sixth Installment

Completing our examination of the perimeter of the primary structure, we consider a “study model” view of the West elevation in a search for an entrance opportunity to the proposed 2nd duplex unit.


You may have noticed that the study model utilizes both actual photographs and simulated textures to represent the existing structure. In the area including the existing front entrance, this is a portion of a photo of that area. The dark color to the lower left of the double hung window is part of existing shrubbery that obscures a clear view of the facade.

The use of 3d modeling provides the opportunity to get an unencumbered view of the existing structure which is particularly valuable in preservation projects. Notice that the model is placed on Google Earth.

Just above the “C” at ~ one o’clock you can detect the Mill Mountain star. This further illustrates an important aspect of this method of studying historic structures. It provides the designer with a much enhanced understanding of the building within its environment. Daylight can be manipulated to describe lighting conditions throughout the day and year. A couple of weeks ago, as I was placing the model on Google Earth, I had the “weather layer” switched on. It was raining heavily at the time and Google earth was reacting with simulated rain on the model as I was working!!!

A. The six casement windows on this elevation combined with four casements on the North elevation enclose what was originally planned as an exterior front sitting porch. The floor elevation in this area is slightly below the main floor level and the material appears to be embossed colored concrete under an indoor/outdoor carpet covering. The embossed concrete was a commonly used treatment during the time this home was built. The casements on the North side of the “Sun Room” have been boarded up on the interior and one was cut to accommodate a window air conditioning unit. The corner column is a classic over-sized column typical of the craftsman period. Although the modifications enclosing this space were not a part of the original design, it is an attractive feature, sympathetic to the period, and delightfully serviceable as a contemporary space. Restoration of this area is desirable.

B. Also typical of the Craftsman style is the full dormer on the second level. The gambrel roof was also used in the Craftsman style but not as frequently as the bungalow style gabled roof. I have looked for this home in Sears & Roebuck catalogues of homes from this period, as I suspect this may have been a “mail order” home, again reinforced by the presence of the house next door at 1316 2nd St. The original roofing material was probably a granular slate asphalt shingle common during that period which provides clues to original coloration.


C. The segmented arch pediment over the front door also was used extensively in “catalogue” style homes though the configuration of the brackets supporting the pediment cannot be considered “true” to the Craftsmen style. Some of the “mix and match” features start reinforcing the suspicion that this was a “catalogue home,” though that does not reduce its quality or historic value.

D. The existing metal clad entry door is clearly a much more contemporary replacement that is in poor condition and needs replacement.

E. The industrial-type pipe railings leading to the front door distract from the aesthetic appeal of the home.

The Fifth Installment

As I continue to explore how the blog format may serve as a “real-time” studio for educational purposes in the profession of architecture, I find that the approach of using one post with progressive installments for an entire project will soon become unwieldy. Therefore, from this point forward in the development of a design solution for a contemporary adaptive re-use of a 1925 craftsmen-style residential structure in the City of Roanoke’s “Old Southwest Historic District”, progressive posts on this blog will be dedicated solely to this project until completion.

The City of Roanoke has an Architectural Review Board (ARB) established to review all proposed EXTERIOR modifications on all buildings within its historic districts; the “Farmers’ Market Area” (H-1) and “Old Southwest” (H-2, including 3 others)  When I began posting the design progression of this project online, my intent was to explore a process that would benefit both Roanoke City and all future developers within our cherished historic districts. Very early on April 30, 2012, I was contacted by an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Roanoke, who very succinctly informed me that he had advised the ARB to refrain from all communication regarding this project or any other within their jurisdiction online. The attorney explained that his advice was to prevent any potential challenges of ARB decisions as being “arbitrary and capricious.”

In our excessively litigious society, his concern is not easily dismissed. On the other hand, in the interest of improving the traditionally stiff bureaucratic process of review of architectural design decisions, we can seek better ways to communicate the rationale behind those decisions.

In the spirit of progress, and National Preservation Month: http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/preservation-month/proclamation.html, I hope the members of the ARB and who choose to follow this experiment will feel welcome to submit “anonymous” comments and/or questions. I also encourage all interested parties to feel welcome to participate as the project progresses.

As we continue our study of the historic structure this project is focused upon, our attention progresses to a view from the northeast.

A. The existing carriage house appears to have been built near the same time as the original structure. It is currently serving as a dwelling unit with an exterior egress stair to the loft level. The current zoning ordinance will not allow this use to continue if the main structure is allowed to contain two dwelling units. Therefore, current economic consideration requires the Owner to abandon this use in favor of creating two more desirable dwelling units in the primary structure. For that reason, at this stage, we will not focus attention on the preservation of that structure.

B. The east wing of the main structure appears to have been an early modification (or addition) to the original primary structure. This judgment is based upon observation of the existing adjacent structure at 1316 2nd St., SW which appears to have been constructed by the same contractor based upon the same basic plan.

C. A uniquely “awkward” enclosure of interior space on the second main floor level of the main structure appears to have been added to accommodate utility access in the area of an interior stair to the basement.

D. An architecturally important feature of the original structure is the bay window located in the apparent dining area of the original structure. The condition of the casement windows encourages historic restoration. The installation of “window air-conditioning units” has compromised the architectural integrity of one of the four casement window units comprising the bay.

E. An 8-light over 1-light double hung window providing day-lighting to the basement utility area appears to have been installed as an original “design-sensitive match” on the earliest addition to the original structure.

F. The same is true of this double-hung window noted above. Further noteworthy is the rustication of the stucco finish on the basement walls of the earliest addition.

G. The painted simulated cedar shingle siding that currently is on the second level of the original structure and used with apparent random application on the earliest east wing may or may not reflect the original application of this material. Regardless of that truth, it is doubtful that the original intended finish was a painted color.