Kensington, MD - Front Porch

NARI CotY "Grand" Award Winner 2006

Brief Explanation of the Scope of Work

Homeowners Michelle and John came to us wanting to improve the front elevation of their house and give them a protected outdoor area to enjoy. They also had two front doors to their house, which was aesthetically unappealing and a constant source of confusion for visitors.

Unusual Constraints/Challenges & Creative Solutions

During our investigations of the house we found that a previous contractor had installed a dropped beam at the kitchen ceiling that was improperly sized and was beginning to deflect visibly. Because the kitchen was at the front of the house it was a structural problem that our design would need to solve. After a thorough investigation, we also resolved the structural defects of the existing house by properly sizing and raising the original beam so it no longer projected down from the kitchen ceiling.

We decided adding a front porch under a single gable would be the most aesthetically pleasing and the best manner to configure with the existing roof lines. The homeowners had long appreciated Craftsman style architecture, and John even enjoyed making Mission and Craftsman style furniture in his free time. Early in the design process, we all agreed that this house would lend itself well to a Craftsman style face lift.

We eliminated the front door that was near the driveway, and converted a portion of that opening into a window to bring more light into the kitchen (See below). We also relocated the second front door to face the street, thereby creating a clear approach and entry for visitors. (This door could not be centered on the stairs because of an existing coat closet to its right.)

To the left of the front door an inset portion of the existing floor plan allowed us to create a deeper area for a table and seating where Michelle and John could sit and enjoy the outdoors (See below).

The homeowners were interested in incorporating as many wood products as possible that were harvested from sustainable forests.

After much deliberation and research, we all agreed that Lyptus wood was the best product for the porch floor. This wood, while harvested in Brazil, grows to maturity in approximately 15 years according to
the Weyerhaeuser website.

Although we’d like to take credit for the innovative driveway that allows water to drain through it, this was designed and done by the homeowner’s landscape contractor. It’s also important to note that this Lyptus wood works well for this area because it’s a covered porch.

Overall Results

Michelle and John enjoy spending evenings on their front porch addition, and receive frequent compliments from neighbors and passers-by. They think that their house has become the nicest looking house on the block, and we agree.