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.