This project involved renovations and additions to the living area of a 200 year old colonial farmstead. Views, natural light and choice materials were sculpted to form space that addressed the clients desire for increased functional space and improved physical and psychological interface to the natural splendor outdoors. History is respected and tranquility reinforced by well proportioned and crafted space.
Addition and Renovation
Pennington, New Jersey
Photographs by George Schagawatt
Addition and Renovation
Bridgewater, New Jersey
Photographs by David Sylvestor
Photographs by Wink Eintoven
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This project integrates interior space with the natural exterior while allowing large open space for family get togethers while maintaining an intimate scale and charachter for everyday use. Seven stone pillars provide the structure that interfaces this addition with the existing ranch house. Natural materials of stone, wood and granite provide a sense of oneness with nature.
PRIVATE HOMES
OUR PROCESS . . . One step at a time
Needs evaluation / Proposal
Relax and let us know all about your needs and aspirations regarding your housing, community or work place project. Take your time, let go and point out the issues that you want to address. Tells us about your vision, and goals. We will determine a range of service and the cost associated with it.
Contract
Once we have agreed on the scope and fee for the architectural work we provide an agreement that breaks down out all important issues. The agreement is simple and flexible. It spells out the scope of the project; the phases of work; the cost for each phase; responsibilities; compensation; payment schedule; termination and acknowledgements. We can add and subtract language as may be necessary and agreeable.
Existing Conditions
In order to effectively design we must form an accurate understanding of the site; house and context. In this phase we measure and take note of the layout; physical structure; mechanical and electrical systems. We take pictures, sketches, photographs and/or video of key areas of the existing house and site. We use a legal survey of your property (supplied by you) to perform zoning, context and environmental analysis. We draw all plans and elevations of the house that we need to begin design of your house and to perform an existing layout efficiency study.
Master Plan / Design
This is where the fun begins ….or continues. We ask you to make a list of all you love about your home and all you hate about your home. At our first design meeting we will review the existing conditions drawings and the analysis of the existing house problems and potentials. We carefully review your love/hate lists and talk about the things you would like to end up having when the project is complete. We discuss your budget; prioritize your needs and master plan all the areas of your home that are required. We then begin to provide you design studies that reflect our investigations and discuss these to further refine the design. This process may go back and forth a few times until we have the master plan design that works for you. We provide estimated probable cost of construction for the entire master plan and provide advice on how to phase the project if the entire design will not fit your budget right away. The design will be presented to you in ways that allow you to visualize and understand the spaces that we propose.
Historic, Planning or Zoning Board Approval
If required, we will prepare drawings and assist in preparation of the application for historic, planning or zoning board hearings if required. We will present and provide expert testimony regarding your project.
Design Development / Construction Documents
With the master plan complete and approvals in hand we continue to develop the design and refine the aesthetical details and specifications. We concentrate on the phase or phases of the project that you wish to work on and begin to develop the design regarding the form, shape, proportion and dimensions of each space. This refinement process better articulates the design and more specifically describes the materials and building systems that are to be used. The product of this phase results in highly detailed and comprehensive drawings and specifications that provide specific information required for bidding, permits and construction. Structure, mechanical systems, energy, code compliance, lighting, power, specialty items, material, color and costs are all defined in this phase.
Bid / Negotiation / Construction Contract
The construction documents are used to bid or award the project. We will put together a list of contractors that are suited for your work. This list will consist of both our recommendations as well as anyone you may have in mind. If a contractor you know is already slated for the job we can forgo the bidding process and begin the contract process. In any case, the bidders are asked to meet with us to pick up drawings and bid forms. We review the entire process with them and set up a time to meet them at the building site to review existing conditions with their subcontractors. We answer questions and explain the design in real time. The contractors will submit their bids to our office at a specified date and time. They use exact bid forms for all the costs and provide proof of insurance, list of references, subcontractor lists, early start dates; anticipated duration of project; and vet these bids and present them to you. After discussing, calling references, negotiating final costs we award the bid and prepare an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Owner / Contractor agreement which spells out all the necessary contractual information to protect you and the contractor during the project.
Permitting
We provide the contractor with signed and sealed sets of drawings for his submittal of permits to the township. We assist in answering questions or supplying support information the township may request regarding our work until the permits are approved.
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