1960s Bi-Level is Changed Over

Located on a highly desirable tree-lined street of mostly newer higher-priced homes, this 1960’s dated bi-level home was in good condition but was too small and out of date for the clients’ preferences. Although the neighborhood and land value supported demolishing and rebuilding a new house, the client’s budget did not. Bi-levels are not a sought after style as you enter the house in the middle of two levels and are immediately confronted with a stair – either walk up or walk down. To reduce this rather unwelcoming condition, we added a portico on the front and pulled the front door out to increase the size of the entry stair landing. We also removed the 8-foot high ceiling joists in the upper-level living area and changed it to a volume ceiling to draw one’s eye upward. Also typical in the 1960’s houses are small kitchens lacking in workspace. A large addition was located to the rear and the kitchen was expanded into this space along with a contiguous gathering area, large deck, and screened-in porch. An upper-level expansion was also included to create a master bedroom suite.