1314 2nd Street, SWRoanoke, Virginia

OLD SOUTHWEST HISTORIC DISTRICT

Eldon L KarrAppalachian Architect

Owner:Dr. Gerald & Mrs. Eleanor Roller

Making Old Ideas Better

How we can create 21st century living space in a duplex configuration while enjoying the products our past and implementing the lessons learned for our future?

We don't really benefit by throwing away old ideas. Unless we evaluate and re-evaluate, we are just making our job harder. There is no greater joy than making the old ideas better!!!

Understanding Historical Context - Built circa 1925

The Patrick Henry Hotel

1314 2nd Street, SW

Craftsmen Style Home

~Spring 2008

Summer 2011

Summer 2011

Some of the original windows in their current locations may be considered for removal, restoration and re-use in alternative during the execution o this project.

All three of the dilapidated open treated pine stairs and railings will be removed.

A. A set of three original casement windows, with a sill height of approximately 4’-6” above the finished floor suggests that the stoop and the door served as a service entrance to a pantry/utility room in the original home.

B. The single original casement visible on the exterior is one of a pair of original casements that still exist with one being concealed by early remodeling.

C. This 15 light fixed sash does not match the detailing of the original windows and therefore was probably installed as an enclosure element on a second floor “sleeping porch” in a later remodeling.

D. A 3’-0” x 6’-8” commercial grade flush exterior door, not original, was more recently installed as an emergency egress exit from the second floor level during the building’s use as a halfway house.

E. A 6-light over 1-light double hung window appears to have been installed at the time of the enclosure of the sleeping porch.

F. This is an original sleeping porch column that has been left exposed through several remodels of the building. The siding on the second level, and parts of the first level rear wing, is a fiber reinforced cementitious material.

G. A 3’-0” x 6’-8” 6-panel metal clad exterior door, was more recently installed as an emergency egress exit from the first floor level during the building’s use as a halfway house.

H. A 3’-8” x 3’-8” aluminum framed sliding glass window (early 1970’s vintage) surrounded aluminum “clapboard” siding encloses an existing interior stairway.

I. An existing 8-light over 8-light double hung window provides day-lighting and ventilation for the basement space below. An adjacent 4-panel wood door in excellent condition also appears to be original.

J. A 2’-8” x 6’-8” commercial grade hollow metal flush exterior door, which is clearly not original was more recently installed as an emergency egress exit from the first floor level during the building’s use as a halfway house. A third open treated pine stair was installed on the exterior.

K. Another single original casement visible on the exterior is one of a pair of original casements that still exist with one being concealed by early remodeling. A bathroom occupies the existing space on the interior.

 A. The existing carriage house appears to have been built near the same time as the original structure. It is currently serving as a dwelling unit with an exterior egress stair to the loft level. The current zoning ordinance will not allow this use to continue if the main structure is allowed to contain two dwelling units. Therefore, current economic consideration requires the Owner to abandon this use in favor of creating two more desirable dwelling units in the primary structure. For that reason, at this stage, we will not focus attention on the preservation of that structure.

B. The east wing of the main structure appears to have been an early modification (or addition) to the original primary structure. This judgment is based upon observation of the existing adjacent structure at 1316 2nd St., SW which appears to have been constructed by the same contractor based upon the same basic plan.

C. A uniquely “awkward” enclosure of interior space on the second main floor level of the main structure appears to have been added to accommodate utility access in the area of an interior stair to the basement.

D. An architecturally important feature of the original structure is the bay window located in the apparent dining area of the original structure. The condition of the casement windows encourages historic restoration. The installation of “window air-conditioning units” has compromised the architectural integrity of one of the four casement window units comprising the bay.

E. An 8-light over 1-light double hung window providing day-lighting to the basement utility area appears to have been installed as an original “design-sensitive match” on the earliest addition to the original structure.

F. The same is true of this double-hung window noted above. Further noteworthy is the rustication of the stucco finish on the basement walls of the earliest addition.

G. The painted simulated cedar shingle siding that currently is on the second level of the original structure and used with apparent random application on the earliest east wing may or may not reflect the original application of this material. Regardless of that truth, it is doubtful that the original intended finish was a painted color.

A. The six casement windows on this elevation combined with four casements on the North elevation enclose what was originally planned as an exterior front sitting porch. The floor elevation in this area is slightly below the main floor level and the material appears to be embossed colored concrete under an indoor/outdoor carpet covering. The embossed concrete was a commonly used treatment during the time this home was built. The casements on the North side of the “Sun Room” have been boarded up on the interior and one was cut to accommodate a window air conditioning unit. The corner column is a classic over-sized column typical of the craftsman period. Although the modifications enclosing this space were not a part of the original design, it is an attractive feature, sympathetic to the period, and delightfully serviceable as a contemporary space. Restoration of this area is desirable.

B. Also typical of the Craftsman style is the full dormer on the second level. The gambrel roof was also used in the Craftsman style but not as frequently as the bungalow style gabled roof. I have looked for this home in Sears & Roebuck catalogues of homes from this period, as I suspect this may have been a “mail order” home, again reinforced by the presence house next door at 1316 2nd St. The original roofing material was probably a granular slate asphalt shingle common during that period which provides clues to original coloration.

 C. The segmented arch pediment over the front door also was used extensively in “catalogue” style homes though the configuration of the brackets supporting the pediment cannot be considered “true” to the Craftsmen style. Some of the “mix and match” features start reinforcing the suspicion that this was a “catalogue home,” though that does not reduce its quality or historic value.

 D. The existing metal clad entry door is clearly a much more contemporary replacement that is in poor condition and needs replacement.

 E. The industrial-type pipe railings leading to the front door distract from the aesthetic appeal of the home.

Granular-surfaced asphalt shingles were newly introduced in the early 20th Century. Tab sizes more accurately modeled slate shingles.

E. On half of a pair of high casement windows is currently blocked off from use by either the early addition or plan modification of the East wing. It is possible that the window was blocked off when a suspected exterior porch area in the East wing was enclosed. One of the casements still serves to provide light to a small toilet area. These windows may be removed, restored and relocated in our design proposal.

F. An apparently enclosed exterior porch area currently houses a service stairway to the second level. The space appears to have a high potential for adaptive re-use as a “scissor stair” and entry area for the 2nd duplex unit.

G. An awkward enclosure also noted in the Fifth Installment will be removed if possible.

H. The existing kitchen area will be completely remodeled in a style sympathetic with the historic character of the building.I. The original dining room is one of the most attractive areas in the building and will be restored.J. The casements in the enclosed sun porch will be restored. 

A. The front entry location will be preserved and the entry door will be replaced . We will address a shortcoming of the original design: as this façade faces almost due west, the entry door suffers extreme temperature fluctuations causing rapid material degradation. Further, the front entry lacks protection from rain and therefore renders it less hospitable . We propose to eliminate the “industrial” railing in addition to responding to the deficiencies noted above.

B. The original living room contains architectural detailing akin to the Dutch Colonial styling including stair detailing, a bay window, and ceiling treatment with simulated beams. The owner intends to restore and preserve these elements.

C. The bay window in the living room space provides desirable day-lighting as well as “openness” to the stair to the upper level. Its location is awkward, aesthetically, in context with the balance of the room’s interior. Its proximity to the adjacent masonry structure of the fireplace makes the “minimized” sash lighted panel s on the right side of the bay difficult to maintain. This presents a very unique condition which was originally addressed in a way that encourages preservation as a “unique” historic element. These side sashes were carefully modified to reduce the width of glass within the panes of the sash from a normal of 7 to 8 inches down to nearly 1 inch!!! The owner wishes to preserve this element of the original building.

D. The service entrance previously described on the Southern façade is an element of the original construction that will be considered for major modification to the original structure. When considering this location as the major entry to a duplex living unit, nearby access to a stair to the upper level is a primary circulation consideration. If this were used as an entry the stair to the second level for the 2nd duplex unit would be located in this space. However, the use of this space for vertical access would greatly impact the functional use of other interior spaces regarding compatible spatial relationships as well as plumbing and utility needs. A major modification to the original structure will be proposed in this area.

Proposed Design for 2nd Street

FacadeExisting

Proposed Design for 2nd Street

FacadeNew

Existing East Wing Proposed New Entry

A Refreshing New Entryway

Demolition PlanKey to Door and Window Replacement

Window and Door Schedules

New Window and Door Specifications

Floor Plans

Elevations

Miscellaneous Details

Miscellaneous Details

Two EntriesEnglenook