re:FORM News

What a busy summer!

2011-08-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

In May, re:FORM won it's eighth City of Decatur Design Award for the renovation of 120 Adams Street in the McDonough-Adams-King's Highway Historic District (M.A.K.).

BEFORE

AFTER

The project involved a complete renovation of the historic home and the addition of a second story.

You will soon see our signs in the yards of a number homes in the Virginia Highlands, Mid-town, Kirkwood & Lenox Park neighborhoods and again in the M.AK. Historic District.

We are honored to have been chosen to design a significant addition to a ca. 1910 home originally designed by Leila Ross Wilburn, the second female architect in the state of Georgia.

To learn more about the M.A.K. Historic District or Leila Ross Wilburn visit http://www.mak-decatur.org/

Check in soon for updates and photos of our projects and to see what we've been up to in New Orleans!

1216 and 1221 Kerlerec Are Showcased at the Renovators' Happy Hour Tour

2010-07-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

The Preservation Resource Center (PRC) (http://www.prcno.org/) of New Orleans selected 2 of re:FORM's projects as the July showcase properties for their Renovators' Happy Hour tour and discussion. The visitors toured both properties and then gathered here at 1216 Kerlerec Street for a discussion about the renovations and upcoming local preservation events. Speakers included homeowner Erin Christman (architect), Patty Gay and Suzanne Blaum from the PRC, Nadja Bynum from the Faubourg Treme Neighborhood Association, and Ina Fandrich who is helping to launch a Treme cultural tour co-organized by the New Orleans African American Museum and the PRC.

The PRC usually selects one project per month during the summer to highlight for their Renovators' Happy Hour. Contractors, architects, homeowners and neighbors are given the opportunity to ask questions and share renovation ideas, while enjoying some wine and cheese. They selected both of these properties for July because of their close proximity to each other and for the air conditioning!

Guest Bath at 1216 Kerlerec

Photo of 1216 Kerlerec Street after Hurricane Katrina. The house was originally a 1-1/2 story 1830's Creole Cottage. In the 1890's, the home was "Victorianized" and a second floor was added. Katrina blew the second floor down and the roof was sitting on the neighbor's house.

The renovation returned the house back to the original 1-1/2 story Creole Cottage style, but with all of the modern amenities like 7 huge closets, a generous private Master Suite, a spacious Kitchen, a large Laundry Room and a walk-in Pantry packed into 2,500 square feet. This project received the Merit Award for Renovation from the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission.

Renovators' Happy Hour Tour Continues at 1221 Kerlerec Street

2010-07-30T08:41:00.001-07:00

The second portion of the PRC's Renovator's Happy Hour Tour took place across the street at 1221 Kerlerec. This house was on the City of New Orleans Blighted Properties list and was begging to be overhauled into an updated family home. re:FORM took on the design challenge. And oh, what a challenge it is...!

This is a photo of the stair hall before any construction began. It is just an minor example of what the rest of the house looked like. The house was packed to the gills with furniture and had been boarded up since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The side yard of the house was waist-deep in debris and rotting building materials. The house was so water damaged and termite-ridden that even the interior furniture was eaten.

Here is a photo taken during the Renovators' Happy Hour on July 22nd. The entire house has been stabilized, leveled, and framed out. The next step is the installation of electrical and plumbing. Floor plans were displayed throughout the building showing re:FORM's new design for the 3,200 sq. ft. (4 bedroom/4.5 bath) house.

These are photos taken in the 1970's that show what the front of the house will look like after the house is completely renovated. Stay tuned.....

re:FORM Opens a Second Office!

2010-07-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

re:FORM has opened another office in New Orleans! Erin and Stacie have maintained a strong architectural and cultural connection with the city ever since they received their Masters at Tulane University. So, they decided that since they enjoyed spending time there and were involved with so many local projects anyway, that they would open a second office.

This is the conference area with an antique drafting desk for when we work on artistic renderings or take it "old-school" and hand-draft a project.

Here is the common area for guests and lunch breaks. The offices are down the hall to the left.

We are located in the beautiful historic Marigny neigborhood at 2726 Royal Street. Stop by and see us or call us at 504.296.4720!

re:FORM wins a City of Decatur Design Award!

2010-05-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

Decatur's Historic Preservation Commission awarded re:FORM a Design Award for their design of a second story addition to 148 Erie Avenue in the Great Lakes neighborhood of Decatur. The award ceremony will be held at the Old Courthouse in Decatur on Sunday, May 23rd at 3 p.m and is open to the public. Held annually, the design awards ceremony recognizes projects that promote preservation and excellence in design in Decatur.

Our clients wanted to add more space on a second level without significantly changing the outside of their one story house and to remain true to the character of the neighborhood.

We added 950 SF under a new roof. The combination of a slightly higher pitched roof and some creative reworking of the overhang detail allowed us to keep the one story appearance with enough ceiling height for a comfortable second story. The program for the second level included a Family Room, Guest Bedroom & Bath, a Kitchenette, a Reading Nook and plenty of storage.

Reading Nook

Guest Bath

"Working with re:FORM was a great pleasure. They really understood our vision for our addition. Their guidance was invaluable and the end result has been the rave of the neighborhood. The positive comments have been overwhelming. Everyone comments on how well the addition compliments the original structure and is in keeping with the neighborhood. That was always the ultimate goal with our project.
Plus working with re:FORM was also just plain fun!"

-Martin Torres

To see more award winning projects, visit our website: http://www.reforminc.com/

Hilltop Relaxation

2010-05-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

re:FORM joined creative forces with noted Atlanta architect Eugene Surber to design this new family "second home" perched high on a hilltop near Elijay, Georgia. The homeowners opted to use the Earthcraft Home criteria (such as installing geothermal HVAC, foam insulation, a tightly insulated building envelope, etc.) to make their home environmentally friendly. In addition, they incorporated a "smart" system to control their lighting, alarm, A/V, etc. with the newest technology. The construction has been completed by Decatur-based John Wesley Hammer Construction Company and the home is now ready for move-in!

The home showcases classic, luxurious materials such as reclaimed antique woods, imported stone, and custom designed metal stair railings and door strap-hinges.

The cabinetry, doors and flooring are constructed of reclaimed antique hardwoods.

The structural truss work, columns, and brackets were constructed using antique floor beams that were salvaged from old barns in the South.

Beautiful custom metal interior door hinges by metalsmith Andrew Crawford.

Second story addition in Decatur's Great Lakes neighborhood

2010-03-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Can you tell we added a 950 SF 2nd story addition to this home?

(neither can the neighbors or the Historic preservation Commision)