Upper Arlington Classical Revival

This continues to be a wonderful ongoing project. In keeping with our perennial goal of reusing an existing home whenever possible, we were very pleased to be retained to lead the design team in this whole home renovation in Upper Arlington. The circa 1964 home was spacious and elegant, but in dire need of both aesthetic updating as well as energy efficiency improvements. It’s 4200 sq. ft. was under insulated, under ventilated, and a very dependent on mechanical systems. As such it was a huge energy guzzler. We only added 400 sq. ft. so far, but are improving every inch of the house.

The most prominent feature is the addition of a functional cupola over the existing two-story foyer. This will not only dramatically increase entry impact and wow-factor, but because all of the rooms on both the 1st and 2nd floors in this main section of the house open onto this central foyer, the cupola will be able to introduce a lot of natural daylight into the home. In addition, the awning windows at the top of the cupola are functional, which means that as heat rises, a natural convective current will rise up the "solar chimney" and out the windows, helping the house to rid itself of excess heat. In addition to a ceiling fan at the top of the cupola drawing heat up and out of the house, a multi-duct attic fan will also have one of its inlet registers mounted in the shaft, all in an effort to keep the home comfortable without having to rely on the air conditioning system. In the winter, an insulated glass panel will slide across the base of the light shaft to maintain light transmission but minimize heat loss.

Because the exterior dimension of the cupola is larger than the interior light shaft, and between these two walls is space for 16 solatubes or sun-tunnels which weave their way through the attic and introduce even more natural light to rooms on the 2nd floor & even the basement too. In addition, there will be a single light fixture at the top of the cupola interior for dramatic lighting at night, but also to provide light for the eight solatubes. So one light can illuminate 16 rooms!

Other energy efficient features include an HERV (Heat|Energy Recovery Ventilator) which transfers the heat from conditioned air to fresh incoming air, 6" walls for greater insulation, a lot of LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures that includes a dual-mode toilet (0.8 gal/flush or 1.6 gal/flush), a great deal of home automation—so complete that it will be able to measure air flow and temperature in the air shaft in order to control the automated windows and optimize the cupolas performance--as well as be able to track the savings and see just the improvements will pay off, a well provides the landscaping irrigation, and much more.

The owners are active in many causes and communities, and as such entertain and host overnight guests quite often. The home had to not only look great, but it simply had to function extremely well. In pursuit of this, more apparent improvements than energy efficiency included a subtle reworking of the basic space-planning that made big differences. The living room became a true great room by eliminating an unnecessary hallway and absorbing that redundant space.

On the 2nd floor, bedrooms and bathrooms were updated to become luxurious guest rooms, and a separate utility room permitted ample access to well-organized and naturally illuminated essential systems. A narrow and dark hallway became a wide and gracious gallery, lit with art lighting, sola-tubes, and light from the dramatic cupola. Each bedroom, including both guestrooms and Master, are complete with day-lighting sola-tubes, as well as exhaust and ceiling fans.

The Master Suite is the epitome of a soothing refuge that the owners will rush to retreat to and struggle to leave. Complete with a satellite kitchen, exercise room, a well-structured walk-in closet with ample natural daylighting, and a very indulgent Master Bath, it is truly a haven. Built-ins and custom features are found in virtually every room, while crisp white trim and exquisite, un-imported American Walnut floors anchor and tie the entire home together.

Ongoing plans include the kitchen and North wing. Check back for continuing updates.

UPPER ARLINGTON CLASSICAL REVIVAL

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