PROJECT Clerestory House
ARCHITECT Colleen Healey Architecture, LLC
LOCATION  Somerset, Maryland US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  7/29/2022
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Colleen Healey, AIA
OWNER/CLIENT
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Llaveroes Services LLC / Abel A Canizalez
PHOTOGRAPHER  Brian Wetzel Photography
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
CIVIL ENGINEER CAS Engineering / Jeffrey A. Robertson
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Norton Consulting Engineers / George Norton
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ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
Daylit and simple in form, Clerestory House is a renovation that makes three strategic moves to provide privacy and link the house to the site. The existing low-pitch roof on this 1950’s split-level was removed and replaced with a full elevation band of clerestory windows. Above the new windows, a new flat roof was added. Punctuated by skylights and providing a thick insulation package, this roof swap allowed for an open plan beneath, while the new clerestory enhances the interior’s natural lighting while maintaining  its privacy to the street. 

The existing brick walls wrapping the structure of the home were punctured to establish a prominent connection through the house between its front and rear yards. A new generous slot was created at the front of the house to form a new entrance. This slot aligns with the split-level stairs and a new series of interior openings, culminating in large windows opening to its wooded backyard. The large windows at the rear of the house feel a part of the public portion of the house, but actually belong to the primary suite. 

The last move was to add two additions to the house. The first, an addition to the north, provides a new kitchen and creates a new pathway through the split-level building for its residents to enjoy the garden from the main living level. A new patio marks this connection in the private protected area accessed directly from the kitchen. The second addition included a garage with two bedrooms above. By setting the garage at a lower level, we were able to keep the height of this new two story addition down, closer to the original height of the existing house and the other mid-century homes in the neighborhood.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

GOLD AWARD: “When the jury deliberated about which residential project was deserving of Gold, this was the first thought, and the jury was in complete consensus. It is amazing what a new hat will do for an old house. It is brilliant!” –Jeffrey Huber

HONOR AWARD: “Clerestory House is an exceptional tectonic design that celebrates the phenomenal qualities of place and space. Thoughtful use of materials and light reinforce connectivity and procession throughout, with refined detailing and a cohesive exemplary architectural experience.” –Margi Nothard

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Brian Wetzel Photography - New Front Entrance View Through to Garden Beyond
2. Brian Wetzel Photography - Front Entrance slot with stained brick extending into the entry from exterior.
3. Brian Wetzel Photography - New Kitchen Addition and patio connecting the main floor to the rear garden.
4. Brian Wetzel Photography - New Great Room with Clerestory windows above providing privacy and light
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