Bungalow Facade

I know that my house did not look like it does now when it was built in the 1920’s. What do you think? I think you are right was the response. Can you fix it? We can.

I live alone, except that my mother is also with me. I love my neighborhood, the community, access to everything, but the house just doesn’t seem right, and I’m not sure just what to do. If someone would show me what it could and should be like, I’d know it when I see it. We just love it here and do not want to move but we need to do something.

The home was clad entirely in 8″ exposure aluminum siding, and our client wanted to focus their attention specifically on the front porch of the house and nothing else. However she stated, show me a total picture to consider. We developed a design for the porch that would be consistent with the character of a 1920’s Craftsman Style Bungalow that meets with current code stipulations. Site unseen, it was not discernible as to what was behind the aluminum siding on the porch. It was agreed that this would be an element of discovery in the demolition aspect of the remodeling process. A base design was agreed upon and a Proposal was signed.

Upon demolition, it was discovered that the existing conditions were not that of what was traditionally expected for this type of home. Remnants of lath and stucco from years gone by existed surrounding the supporting column piers. Work was subsequently stopped and meetings occurred. The net result was that extensive historical research occurred that directed us to archives that illustrated how stucco was employed in similar applications to surround supporting vertical 6×6 piers. Design changes to reflect this application were quickly deployed. The client anxiously accepted these changes. In lieu of multi-layer, built up, traditional stucco, fiber cement, facsimile stucco board was used instead to emulate the look of processed built-up stucco. This was as much a consideration of cost as it was maintenance.

Initially, we discussed the other elements of the project that would contribute to a return to what the house might have looked like in its original spender. This would include removal and replacement of the 8″ aluminum siding, new storm/screen windows, and an exterior color pallet consistent with the Craftsman period. As a single woman, a low/no maintenance exterior was tantamount for considering any additional work.

Although offered as an option in the base Proposal as additional services, the client was so excited with the porch that she ultimately exercised and approved the options for the rest of the house.

Our client has stated that the change in the appearance of her home is so dramatic that her closest friends and relatives have actually driven past the house when coming to visit because they didn’t recognize it from its previous condition.