Historic homes present a unique challenge to homeowners and architects alike. Preserving the character and charm of a bygone era while introducing the comforts and efficiency of modern living requires a delicate balancing act. One remarkable example of this approach is the transformation of a 19th-century cedar-shingled house in the historic district of Lewes, Delaware, where Robert Gurney Architect demonstrated how a thoughtful renovation can honor the past while embracing the future. This project serves as an instructive case study for anyone considering a major remodel of an older home.
The original structure, nestled among tree-lined streets in a well-preserved coastal town, embodied the vernacular architecture of its era. Cedar shingles, traditional proportions, and a modest footprint defined its character. The homeowner loved the location and the soul of the old house but needed substantially more space, better light, and a contemporary flow for modern living. The solution was not to tear down and rebuild but to expand thoughtfully and strategically.
Assessing the Existing Structure and Defining the Vision
Before any design work began, a thorough evaluation of the existing house was essential. Every successful remodel of a historic property starts with understanding what is worth keeping, what must be upgraded, and what can be added without compromising the original character.
Evaluating the Existing Building
The assessment process for a 19th-century home should cover several critical areas:
- Structural integrity: Inspect the foundation, load-bearing walls, roof framing, and floor joists for signs of settlement, rot, or termite damage.
- Building envelope performance: Check the condition of exterior siding, windows, doors, and roofing for air and water leakage.
- Mechanical systems: Evaluate age and capacity of electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, which are almost always undersized by modern standards.
- Interior layout: Identify opportunities to improve circulation, sight lines, and spatial flow by removing non-structural partitions.
- Historical significance: Identify original features worth preserving, such as trim profiles, mantels, hardware, and window patterns.
Setting Design Goals for a Remodel
With the assessment complete, the design team and homeowner established clear priorities. In the Lewes project, the goals included:
- Preserve the street-facing facade and overall massing to maintain compatibility with the historic district.
- Add a substantial rear addition to provide an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area without altering the front elevation.
- Introduce expansive glazing with large windows and glass walls to flood the interior with natural light.
- Create seamless indoor-outdoor connections through sliding glass doors and a new deck or patio.
- Upgrade all mechanical systems to meet modern energy codes and comfort standards.
Design Strategies for Adding Space Without Sacrificing Character
The central challenge of any historic house remodel is how to add square footage in a way that feels intentional rather than tacked on. The most successful approach is to concentrate additions at the rear or sides, leaving the primary street-facing elevation untouched.
The Rear Addition Approach
By placing the new volume behind the original house, the architect preserved the historic streetscape while creating a dramatic reveal as one moves through the home. The transition from the old, compartmentalized front rooms into the bright, soaring addition creates a powerful spatial experience. Key design principles for rear additions include:
- Roof form compatibility: A gable roof on the addition echoes the original roof pitch, maintaining visual continuity.
- Material transitions: Using complementary materials such as mahogany trim or metal roofing signals that the addition is contemporary while respecting the original palette.
- Scale and proportion: The addition should be subordinate to the original massing, typically set back and lower in ridge height.
The Lewes project used a gable-roofed rear addition with a distinctly modern character. An open flexible floor plan was achieved by eliminating unnecessary partitions and using the roof structure itself to define zones within the great room.
Working with Large Windows and Glass Walls
| Window Feature | Design Benefit | Construction Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Floor-to-ceiling glass walls | Maximum daylight, visual connection to outdoors | Requires engineered headers and lateral load analysis |
| Operable sliding panels | Natural ventilation, seamless indoor-outdoor transition | Heavy frames need reinforced tracks and proper flashing |
| Fixed picture windows | Unobstructed views, high thermal performance | Must coordinate with structural framing and insulation |
| Clustered casement windows | Period-appropriate look, excellent ventilation control | Multiple units require consistent alignment and trim detailing |
| Transom and clerestory windows | Passive daylighting, privacy preservation | Install above eye level; coordinate with roof structure |
Material Selection and Detailing for a Unified Aesthetic
Material choices play an outsized role in determining whether a historic remodel feels cohesive or disjointed. The palette must bridge two centuries, referencing the original construction while embracing contemporary possibilities.
Exterior Materials
The original cedar shingle siding was carefully repaired and retained on the front and visible side elevations. Where new siding was needed on the addition, the team used clear cedar shingles applied in the same traditional pattern. This visual continuity anchors the addition to the original structure. For accent elements, mahogany was selected for its natural durability, rich color, and ability to be milled into clean, modern profiles. Metal roofing on the addition provides a subtle distinction that signals a new chapter in the buildings life.
Interior Finishes and Trim
Inside, the strategy was to create a layered experience. The original front rooms retain their traditional trim profiles, plaster walls, and period-appropriate hardware. As one moves toward the rear addition, the detailing shifts to cleaner lines: flush baseboards, minimal casing around large window openings, and sleek hardware. This gradient approach avoids a jarring transition while clearly delineating old from new.
- Flooring: Wide-plank white oak throughout creates a unifying base that works in both traditional and modern settings.
- Millwork: Custom cabinetry in the kitchen and built-in shelving follow contemporary proportions, using flat-panel doors with concealed hardware.
- Lighting: Recessed fixtures and linear pendants in the addition contrast with the period chandeliers and sconces in the original rooms.
Construction Considerations and Lessons Learned
Remodeling a historic home presents construction challenges that are distinct from new construction. Balancing heritage preservation with modern living requirements requires careful planning and experienced tradespeople.
Navigating Historic District Approvals
Projects within designated historic districts must typically undergo review by a preservation commission. For the Lewes project, this meant presenting detailed drawings that demonstrated the additions visibility from the street would be minimal. Key strategies for approval include:
- Preparing context elevations showing the addition from all public vantage points.
- Specifying materials that match or complement the original in texture, color, and application.
- Limiting changes to the front facade, keeping original window patterns, door openings, and porch details intact.
- Documenting existing conditions thoroughly before beginning design work.
Structural Considerations for Additions
Connecting new structure to old requires careful engineering. Foundation loads must be distributed to avoid differential settlement between the original building and the addition. Wall intersections need proper flashing and air-sealing details to prevent moisture intrusion. Roof connections at the junction of old and new are particularly critical, as thermal movement differs between the two structures.
For homeowners considering a similar project, the design principles behind shingle-style home construction offer valuable guidance on how massing, materiality, and proportion work together in buildings of this tradition.
Budget and Timeline Realities
A remodel of this scope typically costs 60 to 80 percent of what a comparable new custom home would cost per square foot, with the premium coming from the complexity of working within an existing structure. Factors that influence cost include:
- Structural remediation: Unexpected conditions discovered during demolition, such as deteriorated framing or inadequate foundations, can add 10 to 20 percent to the budget.
- Selective demolition: Removing only designated portions of the building while protecting what remains requires more labor than full demolition.
- Custom window and door fabrication: Large glass panels and custom mahogany windows have longer lead times and higher material costs than standard sizes.
- Historic district compliance: Additional design fees, review periods, and potential material premiums for historically appropriate products.
The Lewes project demonstrates that a revolutionary remodel is entirely achievable when the right team is assembled. The key ingredients are a homeowner who values both history and modernity, an architect experienced in contextual design, and builders who understand the craft of working with existing structures. The result is a home that tells a layered story: honoring its 19th-century origins while fully serving a 21st-century lifestyle.