Renovating a Home or Cottage: What to Expect

The Spring 2012 issue of Kearsarge Magazine features one of Bonin Architects’ current remodeling projects, complete with before and after photos.

Architect Jeremy Bonin gives pointers on working with an architect during the design process and how their experience can save you time and money.  The five ways architects can help with your remodeling project:

Know how to work with old homes: If the original drawings are not available, the architect will document the existing spaces affected by the new design.  “This can mean multiple visits to verify dimensions, structure, plumbing, and a myriad of other building components. In older homes, the documentation process may be longer due to walls and floors that are not straight or plumb, or intricate woodwork and moldings to be saved, salvaged or duplicated.”

Realize design is a process: Several considerations will be reviewed and revisited many times during the design process including your family’s current and future needs, energy conservation, budget, and schedule.  The architect uses sketches, renderings, and 3D computer models to draw your ideas and bring the vision of your remodeled home to life while keeping in mind traffic patterns, air flow, light, and the aesthetic of the home.

Will plan on contingencies like budgeting for unanticipated problems with your older home like outdated wiring and rotted structural elements that may not be seen until the walls are torn down. 

Will help build your team: Your project could take as little as a month or as long as a year. You will be working, sometimes on a daily basis, with your architect and contractor; therefore, you should feel comfortable and trust them as they will working with you for an extended amount of time.  Your architect will help you interview and hire a general contractor if you do not have one, checking qualifications, references and compatibility of work to your remodeling project.

Architects understand the steps:  In addition to the design process, your architect will guide you through the steps, including permitting and pricing. Preliminary pricing may be obtained during the design or, if the contractor is selected, pricing may be established at milestone points during the design. 

A home is our shelter and escape from the busy world around us; it should feel inviting and meet our needs every day. Selecting a good team to work on your remodeling project will reward you at every turn.

Last Day to Vote for AIA NH People's Choice Award!

Today's the last day you can vote for your favorite project entered into the 2012 AIA NH Excellence in Design Awards!

Bonin Architects' submission is #1, The Landing, Newbury, New Hampshire. Located on Lake Sunapee,  this gorgeous new custom home replaced an old uninsulated cottage.  The new home design conforms to the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act guidelines for placement and property setbacks.  The home sits on a narrow 32' wide lot, has 4 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, and plenty of space for entertaining.  See more finished pictures of this custom home on our website at www.boninarchitects.com.

Vote online at http://www.aianh.org.  Remember, voting ends today!

Lake Home Construction Photos: Near Mt. Sunapee NH

Construction is ongoing on our lakefront vacation home being built in Blodgett’s Landing, Newbury, NH, right near Mt. Sunapee, a tear down project replacing a small, worn-out cottage.

It sure is cold after our nor’easter (Newbury received 14” of new snow), but the crew has a weather-tight shell and temporary heat to help. The site is very tight, with neighboring houses on either side, which can hamper snow removal efforts, but so far has not been an issue.

Interior framing, plumbing, and electrical is ongoing.  Check back for progress photos!

NH Lakefront Cottage Renovation

One of our recently completed projects is the renovation of a lakefront cottage on Pleasant Lake, New London, New Hampshire.

The property was subdivided and had originally had two cabins on it. A cabin on “The Point” was torn down to open up the lake view from the other cottage. Some of its materials were salvaged for use in the main cottage renovation.

The new cottage serves as a three-season entertainment area for family and friends with lakeside access and wonderful seasonal views.

Master Planning of the lot for a future primary residence was also completed, accounting for CSPA lot coverage, setbacks and storm water management.

Photos by Great Island Photography, LLC

Lake Sunapee Home

One of our latest designs is a Lake Sunapee home  for an older couple, their children, and grandchildren.  The cottage style home fits in nicely with the architecture around the lake.

Goals of the home are energy efficiency, one floor living for the parents, and well-designed common and private areas for each family.

The project is in the design development stage, where we determine spatial requirements and accurate dimensions for rooms and areas, as well as outdoor space for entertaining.  Broad material choices are being made in this stage of the home design.  One or more meetings will be dedicated solely to the kitchen design to choose appliances and their location, cabinets, flooring, counters, and special requirements for the owners.

Home Addition Remodel

Here's one of our latest projects for an addition and renovation of a 1970's contemporary home in New London, NH.

The addition will house a new garage on the basement level and Master Bedroom suite above.

A spiral stair in the Master Bedroom will access the third floor studio.  The renovation includes replacing all of the old glazing with Eagle Windows with Douglas fir frames.  Check back for progress!

Small Home Design

One of our clients is building a lakefront cottage on their property in southern New Hampshire for their visiting children and grandchildren to use during the summer months. Some of their requirements included:

• Large porch for entertaining and to capture lake views
• Plenty of bedrooms for extended family
• A first-floor bedroom to address any future accessibility issues
• Plenty of storage for seasonal items
• Large enough common areas (including kitchen, dining, and living areas) for guests to feel comfortable in the cottage when not gathering at the main house
  

The preliminary design addresses these goals nicely. The small home design is based on a traditional cape form with 4 foot knee walls on the second floor with some classic cottage detailing, such as the shingles in the gable dormers, larger rake and eave overhangs. A large 8’ porch provides access to the entry, and wraps around both the side and front of the home to maximize views of the lake and bring the outdoors into the home. The dining room features French doors which open to the porch, and the living room has large windows which also help take full advantage of the lake scenery. A fireplace will help take the chill off of autumn nights.
The open dining / living areas include built-ins for plateware, and the kitchen includes a small breakfast counter and stools. A large walk-in pantry provides additional storage space for the kitchen, and the mechanical room is housed conveniently behind the pantry pass-through door. The L in the stairs provides the perfect spot for an entry closet, while a small bench allows swimmers to towel off and remove sandals before entering the cottage.

A first-floor bedroom includes dual closets and a full bath with whirlpool tub / shower. A large window in the Master Bedroom also looks out over the porch and the lake.

The second floor has three bedrooms for extended family, each having large closets. Dormers allow for additional windows to meet egress and ventilation requirements in the bedrooms. The chimney on the second floor is hidden in a large storage area that can be used for seasonal items.

The efficient design will lend itself to using SIP panels and should provide a fantastic opportunity to heat the home with radiant floor heat if the client chooses to head in that direction.