Most historical additions take their cues from the existing home. What is the approach when the clients want a whole new architectural treatment? While I appreciate that the recent interest in mid-century modern architecture has re-invigorated the ranch house market, these particular clients are attracted by this home's location, price, size, and condition, but not its architecture.

An extensive interior remodeling will be accented by a new front porch addition. I see this house as a blank slate. Not all ranch houses lend themselves to a new traditional-looking facade. One key advantage to this ranch is the floor level is elevated well above the ground level. This key feature that is more typical of older homes allowed us to explore several different traditional architectural solutions.

We are headed in the direction of an Arts and Crafts bungalow, exploring several permutations of the style. All of the solutions seek to increase the volume and massing of the home that is sandwiched between two much larger homes. In the end, the client and I favor the Craftsman solution, but this gallery illustrates some of the other solutions that were explored. The rustic version sprang from the Craftsman solution. It's "north woods" meets city bungalow. The Mission option riffs on the client's California background. Finally, I explored an even more exotic solution that draws on Chicago's rich tradition of bungalows inspired by European and Asian influences.

With all of my projects, I thoroughly explore several different options to arrive at the most cohesive aesthetic and functional solution that is faithful to the client's goals.