Warren Architecture, LLC

Tucson Arizona Home: Exterior Renovation

pwarren — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:20:41 +0000

The renovation of this 1970′s slump block masonry house, located in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains, involved opening the house up to the surrounding mountain and city views. The allure of the house leads one through it and back to the outside once again. From within the house, every vista is a striking framed vignette that compels further exploration. A key element of the renovation was the creation of a new outdoor living area at the East end of the house.

The existing arched elements of the house were a feature of the front facade, but the original aluminium framed windows had to go. The renovation included new Energy Star windows, designed to fit within the existing window openings. A new stucco ledge grounds the windows, and draws the eye horizontally to the new deck and garden wall at the East end of the home.

Front Facade

This house’s interior was also renovated.

The Entry walkway at dusk. The view from the entry continues through the house to the exterior beyond. The original front door was replaced with a custom wood door with vintage leaded glass.

Front Entry. Photo by Robin Stancliff Photography.

Formerly nothing but Star Pass desert scrub, this area was developed as an outdoor living space, with a spacious deck overlooking the new water garden. A large glu-lam beam holds up the exposed rafters of the roof. The ceiling is finished with tongue and groove stained wood planks. The columns are wrapped with metal which was treated to create a rusted finish. A built-in gutter leads to the rain chain at the left, which channels the water down to the garden area behind the wall. The notches in the garden wall are infilled with Saguaro ribs.

Deck

The view from the surrounding desert of the newly built deck, patio and water garden.

View of deck and water garden.

The twilight view from the deck, overlooking the City of Tucson and the Catalina Mountains beyond. The Deck was designed to feature this custom made bar, brought by the Owners from Connecticut. It has become the social gathering spot in the evenings. The beam mounted down-lights cast warm pools of light on the marble bar-top.

The decking is Timbertech; a synthetic decking made from recycled materials.

Photo by Robin Stancliff Photography.

This house’s interior was also renovated.

Tucson Arizona Home: Interior Renovation

pwarren — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:10:20 +0000

Floor Plan of renovated house. See also “Tucson Arizona Home: Exterior Renovation” Project.

This house’s exterior was also renovated.Located at the West end of the house is the Great Room. The existing slate floor and wood beamed ceiling were kept, but the former arched windows had to go. New, enlarged Energy Star windows provide panoramic views of the Tucson Mountains, and fill the room with natural light.

Great Room. Photo by Robin Stancliff Photography.

Rather than demolish and create a new fireplace, the existing brickwork was repointed to eliminate the vertical elements, and then painted. Stainless steel cladding was afixed to the existing pilasters, creating an entirely new look to this focal area. A slab of granite “floats” in the firebox, holding a eco-flue burner.

Great Room Fireplace

This view is looking toward the Kitchen from the Great Room. Colors drawn from the desert palette and new lighting blends with the warm wood tones of the existing ceiling and the new Kitchen cabinetry. The pendant lights are vintage 50′s, re-wired and hung from a length of track lighting, custom painted to blend with the ceiling.

Great Room toward Kitchen. Photo by Robin Stancliff Photography.

The renovated Kitchen offers functionality as well as beauty. Contrasting materials and finishes blend to provide a warm and welcoming space.
The new Kitchen occupies the same floor space as the orginial, but the layout was reconfigured to define distinct areas, allowing the cook to interact with family and guests seated at the island.
The existing travertine floor tiles were retained, with matching tiles used to infill as needed.

Warren Architecture worked closely with Rick Gedney, of Kitchens by Gedney, Madison, CT, in the design and fabrication of the Kitchen. Kitchens by Gedney and Warren Architecture have been working together on kitchen designs for over twenty years.

Kitchen

The raised mesquite countertop adds warmth to the Breakfast bar, while shielding the sink area from view. The bar stools are vintage 50′s, bought on Ebay.

Kitchen Island

A dry bar area was created at the end of the Kitchen. The upper cabinets have frosted glass doors to allow a glimpse of the bar glassware stored inside. The beverage center holds both beer and wine as well as bottles of water, which are in high demand in a desert setting.

Dry Bar and Beverage Center

The built-in refrigerator and microwave oven occupy the end wall of the Kitchen, anchoring the cabinetry. The same frosted glass that was used in the cabinet doors was used in the doors leading to the Pantry and Laundry Room.

End wall of Kitchen.

This view is from the Lower Sitting Room, looking up toward the Great Room beyond. Warm, bamboo flooring replaced the slate tiles in the Lower Sitting Room, to add contrast to the tiles left on the stairs and floor above. The stair was framed with low walls, and accented with a light above.

Lower Sitting Room. Photo by Robin Stancliff Photography.

Looking toward the East end of the house, two closets were removed from the end of the Hallway to allow the installation of a door, providing a glimpse of the Catalina Mountains and leading to the new deck beyond.

Sitting Room looking East. Photo by Robin Stancliff Photography.

Standing in the newly relocated doorway of the Master Bedroom, the eye is drawn to the exterior mountain views, outside the new windows and sliding glass door. The horizontal design of the window follows the mountain-scape outside.

M. Bedroom. Photo by Robin Stancliff Photography.

An elegant concrete ramp sink highlights the renovated Master Bathroom.

Master Bathroom. Photo by Robin Stancliff Photography.

In the renovated Guest Bathroom, sandstone tiles evoke the colors of an Arizona sunset.

Guest Bathroom. Photo by Robin Stancliff Photography.

This house’s exterior was also renovated.

Sweetwater Garage Design & Addition

pwarren — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:24:45 +0000

New two car garage.

The new garage shares the driveway access with the existing garage.

The garage sits quietly in the side yard, leaving plenty of space for landscaping.

Garage viewed from yard.

Shoreline Restoration, Renovation, & Transformation

pwarren — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:09:58 +0000

The original house was built in the 1920′s, by the present owner’s great-grandparents as a shoreline cottage. Over the years it was added to and the house ended up as a dutch colonial. The house design did not suit the shoreline life style, especially the second floor. The decision was made to demolish the house down to the second floor deck, and rebuild the house in a more contemporary style, allowing the house to open up to the water views.

Twilight view of house. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Water side view. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Exterior view from the beach. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

View of Entrance side of house. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

The view from inside the Entry draws the eye through the house to the water beyond.

Entry Hall. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

The first floor of the house was also a renovation – it was expanded around the original Living Room. The surrounding spaces echo the rhythm set by the beamed ceiling. The interior colors and tones were taken from the rocks and reeds outside.

Living Room. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

The new second floor provides a large Master Bedroom Suite, with a sitting area overlooking the ocean.

Master Bedroom Suite. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Limestone countertops and tile, and custom cabinetry provide a soothing spa like feeling to the newly-renovated Master Bathroom.

Master Bathroom. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

In the daughter’s room, the built-in bed creates a wonderful retreat for sleep, study or daydreaming.

Daughter's Bedroom. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Connecticut Remodel

pwarren — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:04:20 +0000

We began by creating a Mudroom from the corner of the Garage…..

Mudroom. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

We were then commissioned to review the entire first floor and to re-structure the spaces to provide a better flow from space to space. The Kitchen became the focal point, about which the other spaces revolved. In the Kitchen, we used a mix of natural materials and glass block to play off the industrial nature of the stainless steel appliances.

Kitchen. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

We used the glass block again, to define the openings between spaces.

Kitchen looking toward Dining Room. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Family Room looking into Living Room. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Entry. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Our final task was to design a Sunroom addition. On the exterior, the addition ties into the existing roof lines of the house and the siding materials blend with the existing.

Exterior of Sunroom. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

On the interior of the Sunroom, a mix of natural materials was once again used, to play off the large glass windows.

Interior of Sunroom. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Kitchen/Family Room Expansion

pwarren — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:44:22 +0000

This project involved an expansion of the kitchen space, linking it to a newly constructed lower Family Room. The Kitchen was relocated into part of the former Family Room, connecting the existing house to the new addition. The new cabinetry lay-out and design was the culmination of close work between Warren Architecture, LLC and the Kitchen Designer/Owner: Kitchens by Gedney, of Madison, CT.

Kitchen

The working portion of the Kitchen is anchored in the corner, while the breakfast bar provides a wonderful opportunity to converse with the cook.

Kitchen Island.

The former Kitchen area was expanded and now serves as a wet bar. Family dining is enjoyed at the table, which overlooks the new Family Room.

Wet bar.

View of dining area, looking back toward the Kitchen. The table was custom made by the cabinet manufacturer, and is finished off with a limestone top.

Dining area.

View of the Family Room, as seen from the dining area. Built-in cabinetry was designed by Warren Architecture and custom made by Kitchens by Gedney, of Madison, CT.

View of Family Room.

Built-in cabinetry.

Heavy Timber Addition

pwarren — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:13:47 +0000

The Homeowners had fallen in love with the idea of using recycled timbers in their new addition. The Family Room features heavy timber framing built from recycled timbers. The tall windows with transoms above flood the space with light.

Family Room. Photo by Philip Dutton Photography.

Details of the hand pegged, heavy timber trusses.

Timber details. Photo by Philip Dutton Photography.

Joinery details. Photo by Philip Dutton Photography.

An adjoining Study also made use of recycled materials. The flooring, wood ceiling and barn board siding are of recycled lumber.

Study. Photo by Philip Dutton Photography.

The built-in bar was made from left over barn board siding.

Bar area. Photo by Philip Dutton Photography.

English Style Transformation

pwarren — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:30:50 +0000

PLAN VIEW:

The original house and garage are shown in white, the additions are the shaded areas.

Viewed from the front yard, the Library/Dining Room addition is barely seen. The only clue to the presence of the addition is the chimney in the background.

Front of house. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Seen from the back yard, the Library/Dining Room addition juts out from the main house, yet by matching the brickwork and tying the roof lines into the existing house, the addition blends the new with the old.

Back of house. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

The new Entry displays the formality of the interior decor of the addition.

Entry. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

The entry opens up to the new Dining Room. The custom designed window sets the tone for the traditional setting.

Dining Room. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Beyond the Dining Room is the Library. Following the contours of the land, the Library is down three steps. The change in floor level also allows views into the Library from the Dining Room.

Library. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Custom designed dark wood paneling fills this room with warmth but retains a masculine vibe. The fireplace surround and bin were imported from England.

Library. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Exterior Renovations to a Mid-twentieth Century House

pwarren — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:40:00 +0000

The remodeling of this Entry became a study of overlapping geometric planes. The horizontals of the new entry steps and patio play off the verticals of the siding and window treatments. The pattern in the limestone pavers adds a sense of diagonal movement which is echoed in the pattern of the storm door glass.

Entry. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography

The addition of the privacy wall at the left of the new French doors provides a very tranquil retreat for the new patio area. The geometry is strong: here rectilinear shapes are seen in the openings at the top of the wall and in the muntins of the French doors, tying into the existing house window. The diagonal of the limestone paver pattern draws the visitor from the house to the pond.

: Deck and water garden. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Sunroom and Kitchen Renovation

pwarren — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:14:25 +0000

The existing Sun Porch and wrap-around deck spanned across the driveway, tottering on three posts and a beam. In the transformation from Sun Porch to Sunroom, a window bay was added in the front, replacing the narrow deck area. The support beam was relocated and strengthened by the addition of two sheer wall panels below. Sunlight pours into the bay windows and the new sliding glass door that accesses the remaining deck.

Exterior of Sunroom. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

Dark paneling and old sliding glass doors were removed, and the bay window with broad casement windows were added to fill the space with sunshine. The walls,ceiling and floor were insulated with spray foam insulation, which makes the Sunroom a cozy space even in the winter. Warm colors and light painted trim brighten the room.

Sunroom. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

At the new stairway and alcove between the Sunroom and the Kitchen, we mixed stained trim with painted trim, to make a transition from the stained cabinetry of the Kitchen to the painted walls and trim of the Sunroom.

View from Sunroom toward Kitchen. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

We opened the Kitchen up to the Sunroom beyond, allowing a connection between the cook and the family. We re-located, re-purposed and added cabinetry to transform the KItchen while keeping its craftsman character.

Kitchen. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.

This corner of the Kitchen was formerly the doorway to the Back Hall and Sunroom. The wine rack in the upper cabinet was made from the old microwave cabinet.

Wine bar. Photo by Maggie Cole Architectural Photography.