CREATIVE ASSEMBLAGES

This project involved renovating a 1940s bungalow situated on a large plot in the Plaza Midwood neighbourhood of Charlotte, North Carolina. Over the years, the building had undergone multiple extensions and additions, making some indoor spaces chunky and complex. The yards, which included several large oaks and a maple, were extremely overgrown and also had undergone diverse additions by different hands. The project’s goal was to maintain the architectural style of the home and the characteristics of the area and make the indoor and outdoor spaces more efficient, open and positioned to enjoy Charlotte’s mild climate.

To achieve this, the L-shaped kitchen area was rearranged and opened to the dining and living room areas, creating a gully kitchen and a mudroom. The mudroom area, accessed through the home’s side entrance, consisted of a courtesy bathroom and laundry area.

The sunroom, which was formerly a side porch, was enclosed in a previous extension, making the living room very long. It was converted into a play and reading room with the addition of new flooring and full-wall shelving with a reading nook by the large picture window.

The master bedroom was too deep, with a small opening to the back porch. It was reorganised to include a walk-in closet, making the rest of the space squarer. A big double sliding glass door was added, opening it to the stunning views of the lush garden with its central maple. The master toilet was enlarged with natural light and views to the private garden through a large picture window by the new soaking tub; it also included a full walk-in shower and a large vanity.

In the garden, the lush vegetation and remarkably large trees took prime positions with the cleaning and reorganization of the fence, the hardscaping and landscaping. The pergola on the back porch was demolished, and a new, larger, and sturdier one replaced it. The partition in the old garage was reconverted into an office and studio with direct access to the backyard greenery. The house was re-roofed, new siding was placed, windows were replaced, and the whole house was repainted, looking for more climatic efficiency and material durability.