A Little About the Project...

Most of our clients find Rittenhouse Builders through their architect and Craig and Rebecca Snyder were no exception. Their architect, Mimi Winkler of Converse Winkler Architecture, had never worked with us before but was relying on another architect's referral. We started two new relationships on this project and grew to respect the Craig and Rebecca's ability to make decisions and Mimi's ability to always see the overall project from the drawings through completion.

The Snyder's growing family was fully testing the limits of their 1950's split level. While they enjoyed their neighborhood and partially wooded lot in Upper Merion, the house was sorely lacking in three key areas: functionality, energy efficiency and aesthetics. As I see repeatedly when I visit with potential clients, families today don't use their homes like they did 50 years ago. The kitchen is now the focal point of the home and all of the other living areas are connected through this area. The Snyder's home was also under-insulated, suffered from inefficient windows and the front entrance to the home was anything but welcoming to their guests.

Complicating Mimi's job as the architect, was that prior to the Snyder's owning their home, a good quality kitchen and master bathroom renovation had been completed within the existing layout. She needed to create a plan that wouldn't waste the good quality (but possibly short-sighted) work that had been completed just a few years before. The plan that Mimi and the Snyder's presented to us, called for a two story addition with a partial kitchen and master bath remodel, where we were kept some existing finishes and completely demolishing exterior walls only inches away.

To increase energy efficiency, aesthetics, and usefulness, we replaced the old drafty windows with Andersen Woodwright® windows. To save on future heating and cooling costs we wrapped all of the existing exterior walls with a foam board insulation which increases energy efficiency and makes the home more comfortable (fewer cold areas). Continuing on the efficiency theme, we created three heating zones off of the existing boiler allowing for increased comfort and energy efficiency.

We worked together with Mimi and the Snyder's to makeover their home with an Arts and Craft vibe from the 20's. This style is a favorite of mine because it celebrated the artisan over the machine and has been applied to multiple building styles. The crisp simple lines of the interior trim work are timeless examples of that commitment to craftsmanship.

As you look through the before and after pictures, I think that you will see that the owner, architect, and builder worked together to create a new way to live in a house that began 50 years ago.