Remodeling Philosophy

I founded In-House Architecture in 1998. After a number of years in the profession, I had found a niche that thoroughly suited me: working to improve and transform existing houses.

I enjoy the history and baggage of houses that have been around awhile—not just the grand old rooms and thoughtful details, but also their problem areas, the spaces that just aren’t working. It’s a challenge to bridge the gap between what made sense to a builder fifty or a hundred years ago and what will enhance the lives of people living in the house today. This may mean reworking a kitchen, creating a master suite, or finessing a bathroom dormer. It often means opening things up, to improve the flow between rooms and connect interior spaces with the outdoors. Sometimes it means radical transformation—completely overhauling a troubled layout, or remaking a bare-bones cabin into a home worthy of its site.

In all these projects, my aim is to work with the house rather than against it. Houses of different styles and eras demand appropriate solutions; additions in particular need to be handled with sensitivity and ingenuity. It’s my job to listen closely to the homeowners, to gain an understanding of what is most important to them, and to help them develop the best possible design out a range of solutions. A truly successful project will not only meet their goals, but provide flexible and appealing spaces for future generations.