AIA SILVER MEDAL Award WINNER, AIA NJ State Merit Award & THE PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD: Complete Access Challenge, MAPLEWOOD, NJ
It is with great pride that our design for this project has won the praise of both our collogues at the local and state level. The American Institute of Architects has been awarded the a Silver Medal for Design Excellence, A Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture in the Historic Preservation Category. And the Peoples Choice award. The Jury is said to have been “charmed by it”. “It is challenging to bring old houses up to ADA standards without being obvious. To do it and not be able to notice it is a great design talent.” “the house looks better with the addition!” “Well executed!”
In collaboration with a landscape architect, we also created a lush pocket of privacy on this very public lot. The new hardscaping creates access around the house, to the grill, fire pit, patio and driveway as well as to the town sidewalks making wheelchair inclusion both possible and effortless. New addition incorporates a 5 stop elevator giving owner access to every floor. New landscaping paths by Sigrid Morgan Landscape Architect makes flowing from house to yard to town completely accessible in a wheelchair.
Complete Access Challenge - Built in 1884, this is the first house on Main Street one sees when exiting the train station. Its prominent corner location helps define the gateway to the town shopping district. Schematic design sessions for this period home’s renovation were already complete when the news was shared with the design team that one of the owners had been diagnosed with a progressive motor neuron disease. The homeowners asked us to incorporate universal design features—including wheelchair access to every room on every level of the home—but were insistent that they did not want to create a home that looked or felt institutional.
Before Front of Home
Concept sketch by Marvin Clawson
Before rear of home
Framing shows extent of addition
Due to the home’s high visibility, it was important to the owners that the addition, including the elevator rise, be stylistically seamless and unobtrusive. This was achieved by applying existing character-defining features from the house such as octagonal massing, columned porches, steep roof slopes, and decorative shingle patterns. Complimentary architectural ornamentation was introduced to highlight the Queen Anne style and diminish the scale of the elevator rise. Interior and exterior access challenges were graciously overcome without sacrificing authentic period detailing.
The addition begins with exterior entry at ground level. A half stop down to the basement provides access to a “wheelchair wash/dog wash” station and game room. A half stop up brings the elevator to the first floor followed by traditional stops at the second floor and attic/owner’s suite.
New elevator seamlessly incorporated, accessed from side yard patio makes a stop down to the basement and up all the floors above.
New Rear Elevation
New covered porch addition.
New Kitchen in collaboration with Clawson Cabinets can be seen in more detail on the Cabinets website www.clawsoncabinets.com . Cabinets are Woodharbor for Clawson Cabinets.
New Kitchen in collaboration with Clawson Cabinets can be seen in more detail on the Cabinets website www.clawsoncabinets.com Cabinets are Woodharbor for Clawson Cabinets.
New Mud Room entrance off new rear porch brings you into the elevator foyer with access to new porch. Closets and a wash station complete the space.
Widened halls and doors make circulation via a wheelchair through the home achievable. Other universal design features and fixtures include the zero-entry shower in the owner’s and guest baths, French-door ovens, induction cooktop, touchless faucet, and refrigerator and freezer drawers. These make the home functional and comfortable for all members of the family.
The original newel post had been boxed in. The original one was replicated for the upper floors for a continuous railing from the foyer to the attic suite.
Widened hallways allow for wheelchair aceess. Elevator Foyer shown to the far right.
Dramatic Primary Suite creates a beautiful retreat from the daily grind and the busy town corner below.
The Third Floor Contains the Primary Suite, complete with Office and Laundry not shown. Bedroom above with pocket door at stair landing above. Bathroom and dressing room shown below.
The slipper tub, wall paper, chandelier, and penny tile floor set the tone for a home of this era. The subtle deals like the curb less shower entry, grab bars, bench and separate controls for the adjustable height body sprayer and the console sink are the details that make it accessible for someone in a wheel chair without feeling institutional.
Styling by Carla La Bianca, Photos by Aimee Ryan Photography,