Though the addition to this Shaker Heights, Ohio home added only a limited amount of living space, there were outsize complexities to the project. The client, a retired architect whom we had never before worked with, saw an underutilized exterior space as an opportunity to add much needed interior space in order to house he and his wife’s growing vintage oil lamp collection. The major complexity of the project centered on how to support and save the second floor bedroom space that was above the open air porch slated for demo and rebuilding.

A temporary structure was built to support the second floor while the old porch, including the foundation, was demo’d and disposed of. After demo was completed we had to excavate to a depth sufficient to meet the latest building code. New concrete footers were poured, then a block foundation with stone veneer and framing to meet the underside of the existing second floor. Once the existing second floor bedroom extension was secured to the new structure the project moved into standard construction tasks.

“Our enclosed side porch is a beautiful and livable space. It enhances the interior as well as the exterior of our home. It really completes the shape of the home.”