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Residential Architecture: Addition and Renovation

Location:   Wheaton, IL

Located in Wheaton’s historic North Side Overlay district, this Greek revival house was built in the 1890’s and most likely moved from land that is now occupied by a local park. The home has undergone several renovations and additions through the years; the latest was left incomplete by the previous owner. The home was purchased by a growing family with the intent of unifying the incomplete exterior of the house with details typical of the original Greek Revival style. The additions and renovations are to include a new front porch, 2 car detached garage with expanded storage space, an improved rear entrance, a screened in porch as well as a dedicated office space off the master bedroom. Already a large home, a balance had to be struck with the restrictive zoning ordinances and the owners desires to improve the space. Wheaton’s design guidelines for this historic district also needed to be considered. RS2 Architects completely redesigned the exterior of the home, incorporating details that are consistent with the Greek revival style. To test the proportions and scale of the added elements several small scale models were constructed. Different color schemes were also rendered on the proposed elevations. Some of the features of the finished project will include, low maintenance fiber cement siding, synthetic restoration millwork trim, tongue and groove porch flooring and bead board ceilings, and reproduction rock face concrete block for the foundations and porch piers.