Project Statement

In order to expand the existing house and footprint to accommodate the residents’ needs of the Sherwood Residence the main floor level is cantilevered out from the basement level and over the pool deck below. While delicately inserting “F” shaped frames, a steel frame of “K” braced columns and beams, in line with the existing house shear walls to maintain the nine square grid of the existing architectural design, as well as maintain a similar structural relationship in terms of lateral bracing. This move of cantilevering the main floor not only increased the square footage, it provides a valuable connection to new house addition, creates shading for basement level and pool deck, and lastly doubles as a rooftop terrace for the master suite.

The main addition of the house consists of a two-car garage, basement exercise room, and a family room that opens onto an outdoor living room which overlooks the existing pool and deck below. While all of these added spaces have a view south towards the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, this however means the entire façade is south facing with floor to ceiling, wall to wall windows. Many different architectural shading strategies were implemented that consist of recessed openings, large overhangs, and building massing to reduce heat and solar gain while allowing natural daylight to fill deep into the house. Whereas the front façade has full-height windows on the main level and smaller windows on the upper level, this creates some privacy and maintains the original design intent of the block design. The material selections where neutral color selections and subdued materials to allow the building elements to not be overpowering or out of context. A few minor adjustments were made to the front courtyard that clad existing walls with natural stone to coordinate with new materials. An entirely new, simple, concealed siding system in coordination with the window design helps to tie the existing house with the new architectural components.

With full height, wall-to-wall windows, the indoor/outdoor relationship is felt in every room, especially the outdoor living room. Some additional changes to the front courtyard, originally designed by Bob Shaheen, still maintain residents’ privacy but increase visual presence to and from the house. Ultimately, a reinterpretation of the house created an entirely unique house with some architectural elements informed by previous design and allowed the Sherwood Residence to expand and morph to fit the needs of the residents.