More Transformation Tales by Torrey Architecture

While we’ve all been adapting to life during a worldwide pandemic, See Transformation Tales
our living spaces have served as places of refuge, and for many, as workplaces. This added attention to our homes has prompted many to consider changes to improve functionality, add amenities, save energy and make the most of their properties’ potential. This newsletter offers examples of transformational projects we have recently implemented for our clients. Read on.
A Close Attachment to Context
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BEFORE
Adding an attached garage presented design challenges on the exterior and interior of this well-preserved Victorian. Our solution nestles the garage tightly into the sloping grade, blending into the home’s asymmetrical massing.
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BEFORE
The garage roof is crowned with railings and trimwork to match existing porches while adding a rooftop deck for dining and entertaining, connecting the kitchen to the existing porte-cochere.
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BEFORE
On the interior, an open stairway from the mudroom rises beneath a new picture window after passing through a transitional finished basement with new exercise and storage rooms. Form and function are now combined to complement this home’s character-defining historic features.

Photo credits:
David Moynahan, David Torrey
Kitchen in the Treetops
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BEFORE
Rather than renovating their existing kitchen, the owners took the opportunity to expand their home’s year-round living space by repurposing an existing porch. The resulting design solution takes advantage of its natural setting to provide a functional kitchen and daylit sitting room nestled among the treetops.

Photo credits:
David Moynahan, David Torrey
Sunroom Revival
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BEFORE
Originally an open balcony over the entry porch of this eclectic Victorian, its 20th Century addition of roof and glazing had long since ceased to function as an effective weather enclosure. Our redesign for a new sunspace uses centered sliding window bays and bracketed eaves to pay homage to the home’s original style while providing a flexible and comfortable multi-use space for the enjoyment of nature.

Photo credits:
David Moynahan, David Torrey
Capture the Morning Light
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BEFORE
This narrow galley kitchen on the interior of a 70’s modern apartment is now re-oriented to expand eastward into the adjacent dining room with its morning light and private garden views.

Photo credits:
David Torrey
3-Story 2-Family
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BEFORE
When two families purchase a three-story house, how do they equally share the building? Our solution for this comprehensive renovation divides the middle floor in half and provides two independent egress paths with dedicated front and back doors for each unit. 
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BEFORE
And to equally share the home’s square footage, zoning-code-compliant dormers create new space within the attic, capturing light from above the roofline. Adding windows, removing walls and opening up internal staircases to create flexible kitchen-dining-living areas were key design strategies in making this old house a new home.

Photo credits: David Torrey
Living Room Balancing Act
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BEFORE
This ceiling redesign transformed the living room’s ambiance from the feeling of an unbalanced shaft to a calm, centered hearth space for gathering with family and friends. Interior dormers mirroring the exterior wall now provide window seats upstairs with focused views to the coastline, and a horizontal crown molding with indirect lighting now softly illuminates the painted beadboard ceilings.

Photo credits: David Torrey
And from our Archives, more strategies for renovations and additions - Here
See More BEFORE and AFTERs on our updated Website

Torrey Architecture's deep portfolio of projects can be seen on our website…Torrey Architecture …where you can browse our selection of Transformations found under the heading… BEFORE AND AFTER… and with a focus on our residential projects go to Houzz where our clients have kindly offered their Testimonials.

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Torrey Architecture, Inc.

Torrey Architecture provides our clients with complete architectural services, from concept sketches through building occupancy. We assist property owners, commercial tenants and stewards of community facilities in the realization of architectural projects for buildings and sites. We assemble and lead a team of professionals to address the specific technical requirements of the project and guide our clients through the entire design process, from goal clarification through schematic designs, engineering, cost control, construction documents, contractor selection, permitting, construction and building maintenance.
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