Giving New Life to a Weathered Canvas: The Art of a Truly Custom Renovation

While at the forefront of our work are glorious ground-up homes, designed from scratch to meet every need of the owner, we also pride ourselves in our ability to take on renovation projects that breathe new life into existing structures, while maintaining their existing character and charm. Over almost 35 years of operation, we have taken on an extensive amount of renovation work, anywhere from small bathroom and kitchen remodels to guest wing additions, and even full strip downs where only the original structural components remain.

Although there may be an existing canvas, our approach to these projects is just as individualized to each client as that of a new build. We must first determine the type of “renewal” the client is looking for. On smaller renovation or addition projects, the goal is often to make it look as if the changes were always there, as we believe there is beauty in every existing structure, and it is our job to further strengthen the original design intent. We do so by paying close attention to the original style, matching finishes, trim, and scale to that of the existing, all while inserting modern building techniques to subtly bring the space up to current standards.

 

On the other hand, our large-scale full renovation projects often begin with the goal of taking an existing home, stripping it down to its bones, and giving it a whole new aesthetic appeal. While taking on these projects can sometimes be daunting for both the owner and the design team, they often prove to be the most interesting and successful, as it gives us the unique opportunity to paint upon a canvas first prepared by the original architect years before. After working with the owner to determine what is achievable in terms of style and layout, we begin piecing the puzzle back together using modern materials, finishes, and systems; thereby reflecting the vision of the current owner, while ensuring homage is paid to the original design.

  As a recent graduate and growing designer, renovation projects are often those that inspire me the most. There is something so captivating about taking a space that others may see as outdated and using our expertise to transform it into something vibrant and renewed. As architects, we have the unique ability to turn a client’s “what if” into reality. At CMSA Architects, whether it’s a modest refresh or a full-scale overhaul, renovation work is just one of the ways we strive to bring that “what-if” vision to life.