RED BANK HOUSE 2
ROLE: ARCHITECT
Project Type: Renovation + Housing Addition Location: Square Footage: Phase: COMPLETE
Civil Engineer: Structural Engineer: General Contractor: Photography: 161 Photography
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Red Bank House #2 reimagines a modest two-bedroom, one-bath home through a complete renovation and carefully scaled rear addition. Rather than replacing the existing structure, the project builds upon it — preserving the character and resources of the original home while expanding its functionality for contemporary family living.
The addition anchors the transformation. A new primary suite extends from the rear of the house, creating a sense of privacy and retreat while maintaining the home’s original street presence. The vaulted bedroom ceiling introduces vertical volume and abundant natural light, creating a calm and restorative atmosphere. A generous walk-in closet and thoughtfully detailed primary bath complete the suite. Adjacent to the kitchen, a dining nook, light-filled pantry, and combined mudroom/laundry establish more intuitive daily circulation and strengthen the home’s connection to the backyard.
The existing kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedrooms were fully renovated to create a more cohesive and functional layout aligned with the clarity and restraint of the addition. The kitchen was relocated into the former dining room to better connect the primary living spaces, while the original kitchen was transformed into the new mudroom and laundry space. The attic was also renovated to accommodate two additional rooms — a small bedroom and a flexible playroom/game room — accessed by a newly designed stair carefully integrated within the constraints of the existing home.
Outdoor living and neighborhood connection were important aspects of the design. A generous full-width front porch establishes a stronger relationship to the street and surrounding neighborhood, while two rear patios — one connected to the mudroom and another to the primary suite — extend living spaces into the backyard.
Material selections subtly distinguish the addition from the original structure while maintaining an overall sense of continuity. The original siding was preserved and repainted on the existing portions of the home, while the additions utilize varying rhythms of board-and-batten siding to allow the new construction to remain legible yet harmonious with the original house. Through careful adaptation, improved daylighting, enhanced circulation, and a restrained material palette, the project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can elevate both architecture and everyday life.
