Extreme Reno
December 29th, 2010 09:57 AM
Does the word “renovation” strike fear in your heart? Do you automatically think “Renovation from Hell”, or the movie “Money Pit”? It's a daunting prospect, but is the end result worth it?
Renovation statistics continue to increase, staggering amounts of dollars are spent by neophytes and experienced homeowners alike in the quest for their dream home. I asked David Christopher of FX40 to tell me about a favourite renovation of his.
David says, “The extreme renovation featured in these photos is one that stands out for me and is a shining example of what can be achieved when the process involves adventure, excitement and challenge. This project would come to be known as 'The Revolving House'.
It goes back to 1992 when client Bruce Hodge and his wife Nada decided to subdivide the property they had lived on for eight years. It was a substantial sized property in the heart of West Vancouver and they realized there was profit to be made from better utilization of the land that they had found to be more than adequate for their needs.
They bylaws of the day encouraged subdivision of estate lots, and the Hodges' realized they could divide their lot in half and dramatically improve their own home with a sizable addition, to be funded from the proceeds. The actual process of creating two lots from one went quickly, with one wrinkle - the location of the house itself. Built 40 years earlier, their home sat squarely in the middle of the new property boundary. In order to fulfill their dream renovation, the house would have to be moved.
Working with a local realtor, the Hodges' secured a purchaser for the new lot almost immediately and at that point FX 40 began to get involved. Meeting Bruce and Nada created an instant synergy. Moving the house was already an adventure for them and their four children, who were all approaching teenagehood. As for the design, I was provided with a sketch layout from Bruce and a survey with a general direction showing where the house could be moved.
Inspired by the pure enthusiasm of my new clients, I quickly developed with them three scenarios to move the 3,000 square foot “L” shaped home. By thinking beyond the constraints of a foundation, it became clear that the house could be moved in any direction or even rotated! And there it was - by sliding the house to the east and rotating it exactly 96 degrees, it would allow for not only the addition, but also for a detached garage/coach house.
Selling this idea was effortless. The thought of creating privacy by means of a side entry courtyard was probably enough, but when it was revealed that the kitchen and family dining area would be graced with a southwest ocean view - it was done!
Moving the house was not without challenge. Stripping the house of the original yellow brick cladding and detaching it from the split leveled basement, meant cutting the upper floors free from the obsolete foundation. Luck prevailed, and the large picture windows in the living and dining rooms would be kept intact along with much of the furniture stored in these rooms.
Odd as it may seem, there was a distinctly different feeling to the house as we re-entered it after the move. The change seemed to ground the house to the site. The new position of the house nestled it into the lot on a scale that still seems more appropriate.
After the house was moved and revolved exactly the 96 degrees, the addition was soon completed and the carriage house built shortly thereafter. The landscaping, decks and gazebo all finished this project with such a presence of history that all of us were left amazed. As cottage-like as this home appears from the street, tucked behind the hedges is a home of 5,500 square feet that is entirely focused on family. It is here that the true uniqueness of this project lies. The home quietly unfolds to reveal areas that are of an unassuming proportion and embrace rather than fight to impress, as they invite social interaction.
As radical as this renovation was, the results speak volumes as to what can be achieved when the word “challenge” invokes the path to success. Synergy between owner and designer may be just the start - a good foundation if you will. The owner said “As I have told him so many times before, the singular idea of rotating the house was in itself so brilliant, that at that moment David's entire fee was instantly justified. Certainly not a feat easily achieved in any professional discipline.”
I suppose attitude makes all the difference. There is little doubt that embarking upon a renovation will not be without its challenges. But don't let negative press and cocktail party chitchat about renovation horrors stop you. The difference between a life enhancing experience and utter frustration lies in your willingness to challenge yourself and keep your end goal in mind along the way. And of course, the firm you choose to work with!”
Visit the new www.fx40.com for more exciting residential renovations and David Christopher Signature Collection designer products. The FX40 Building Design Corporation's showroom is at 1557 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC. 604.922.6092 Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
www.fx40.com
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Dec 05 - Jan 06
Renovation statistics continue to increase, staggering amounts of dollars are spent by neophytes and experienced homeowners alike in the quest for their dream home. I asked David Christopher of FX40 to tell me about a favourite renovation of his.
David says, “The extreme renovation featured in these photos is one that stands out for me and is a shining example of what can be achieved when the process involves adventure, excitement and challenge. This project would come to be known as 'The Revolving House'.
It goes back to 1992 when client Bruce Hodge and his wife Nada decided to subdivide the property they had lived on for eight years. It was a substantial sized property in the heart of West Vancouver and they realized there was profit to be made from better utilization of the land that they had found to be more than adequate for their needs.
They bylaws of the day encouraged subdivision of estate lots, and the Hodges' realized they could divide their lot in half and dramatically improve their own home with a sizable addition, to be funded from the proceeds. The actual process of creating two lots from one went quickly, with one wrinkle - the location of the house itself. Built 40 years earlier, their home sat squarely in the middle of the new property boundary. In order to fulfill their dream renovation, the house would have to be moved.
Working with a local realtor, the Hodges' secured a purchaser for the new lot almost immediately and at that point FX 40 began to get involved. Meeting Bruce and Nada created an instant synergy. Moving the house was already an adventure for them and their four children, who were all approaching teenagehood. As for the design, I was provided with a sketch layout from Bruce and a survey with a general direction showing where the house could be moved.
Inspired by the pure enthusiasm of my new clients, I quickly developed with them three scenarios to move the 3,000 square foot “L” shaped home. By thinking beyond the constraints of a foundation, it became clear that the house could be moved in any direction or even rotated! And there it was - by sliding the house to the east and rotating it exactly 96 degrees, it would allow for not only the addition, but also for a detached garage/coach house.
Selling this idea was effortless. The thought of creating privacy by means of a side entry courtyard was probably enough, but when it was revealed that the kitchen and family dining area would be graced with a southwest ocean view - it was done!
Moving the house was not without challenge. Stripping the house of the original yellow brick cladding and detaching it from the split leveled basement, meant cutting the upper floors free from the obsolete foundation. Luck prevailed, and the large picture windows in the living and dining rooms would be kept intact along with much of the furniture stored in these rooms.
Odd as it may seem, there was a distinctly different feeling to the house as we re-entered it after the move. The change seemed to ground the house to the site. The new position of the house nestled it into the lot on a scale that still seems more appropriate.
After the house was moved and revolved exactly the 96 degrees, the addition was soon completed and the carriage house built shortly thereafter. The landscaping, decks and gazebo all finished this project with such a presence of history that all of us were left amazed. As cottage-like as this home appears from the street, tucked behind the hedges is a home of 5,500 square feet that is entirely focused on family. It is here that the true uniqueness of this project lies. The home quietly unfolds to reveal areas that are of an unassuming proportion and embrace rather than fight to impress, as they invite social interaction.
As radical as this renovation was, the results speak volumes as to what can be achieved when the word “challenge” invokes the path to success. Synergy between owner and designer may be just the start - a good foundation if you will. The owner said “As I have told him so many times before, the singular idea of rotating the house was in itself so brilliant, that at that moment David's entire fee was instantly justified. Certainly not a feat easily achieved in any professional discipline.”
I suppose attitude makes all the difference. There is little doubt that embarking upon a renovation will not be without its challenges. But don't let negative press and cocktail party chitchat about renovation horrors stop you. The difference between a life enhancing experience and utter frustration lies in your willingness to challenge yourself and keep your end goal in mind along the way. And of course, the firm you choose to work with!”
Visit the new www.fx40.com for more exciting residential renovations and David Christopher Signature Collection designer products. The FX40 Building Design Corporation's showroom is at 1557 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC. 604.922.6092 Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
www.fx40.com
Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Dec 05 - Jan 06
Photos
