Architect: Sara Aschliman of dwellbeing
Client: young professionals
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Sara Aschliman, a young architect and owner/partner in a 2-person residential design firm dwellbeing. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio this renovation/addition project of Sara's own home won a 2009 American Institute of Architects (AIA), Congress of Residential Architecture (CORA) Award. Check it out:
This addition/renovation project was at the time my own personal home, and was done as a design/build. I acted as architect and general contractor and as the project was under major budget constraints, my family and I also performed much of the labor, including all finishes.
It began as ugly and dangerous, boasting mold, pests, and a steep hillside literally crashing down onto it. Yet the potential was clear: urban living in a private wooded setting, breathtaking city views, and room to grow…upward. Balancing sustainability, economy, and aesthetic, 160 Goethe preserves the charm of the old building but affords the amenities of new construction:
• Leveraging its original foundation, and accentuating the brick walls and roof rafters, the intent was to repair and celebrate the existing.
• Open floor plan and vertical addition, including roof terrace, maximizes livable space while keeping to a small 1,000 square feet footprint.
• Renovation enabled the integration of energy economizing features such has high-efficiency HVAC, glazing, and insulation.
• Low ceilings were removed to allow for larger windows providing more natural light.
• New foundation hand-dug to minimize excavation and tread of machinery on the vegetated site.
• Exterior designed to bring the nonconforming facade back in character with the surrounding historic streetscape.
This design/build project became a real life testing ground that inspired further neighborhood development. Material choice and sweat equity combined with smart detailing enabled the results to embody these young architects’ focus: beautiful yet affordable, efficient design.
Thanks Sara!
Images: dwellbeing
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I might be crazy, but the before photo of the exterior looks wayyy better (although it is a tiny photo). The ceiling in the living room is marvelous!
Oh my goodness... you've made my dream home! I'm in love with everything (especially the roof deck).
Gorgeous! The deck is amazing.
But I don't understand the purpose of the vertical panel in the study in front of the bookcase - it looks like it moves in a track... but why?
An absolutely stunning sense of tranquility and use of color in the living/dining room.
I love the "after" deck. It's a more inviting, livable space.
The kitchen needs some color or something more to give it warmth and energy. It looks perfectly designed to work functionally, and has nice touches,like the glass cabinets, to give it a modern feel.
The bedroom needs something,too. Perhaps a huge,decadent comforter with a silk or batik print comforter cover. The lamps in the bedroom need to be changed to ones that are more sculptural and extend toward the bed. The decoration here looks a bit cookie-cutter and detracts from the simple elegance of the overall design.
I am impressed that the owner/architect hand dug the new foundation in order to protect the site. Also impressed that the original footprint of 1,000 square feet was adhered to by moving upwards instead of outwards...A lot of work,I'm sure, and it paid off.
In summary,an amazing renovation with exceedingly gratifying results!
I love how much bigger it looks on the inside! From the outside it looks like such a small space (though I do like the new exterior better).
gorgeous! Great job! And I love the top deck!
I agree that it's kinda sad to loose the old exterior, but I think it's worth it for the trade-off.
I'm sure the contractor's laborers loved the choice to hand-dig the foundation.
You all are crazy the new exterior looks way better than it did previously
the ceilings look pretty low in the befores...though it's tough to tell with the size/angle issue
Very nice. The color is great.
Wow! This is really impressive! The interior looks as good as the exterior. I like the art behind the dining table too.
I love it all...except the couch:( srry