Here is a deceptively simple small addition that gave this gracious older home a breakfast room as part of a new kitchen, plus a mudroom and a basement exercise room. As with many endeavors, the key to getting this right—and the challenge—was in preparation. Before we could even sharpen our design pencils, we had to consider some zoning regulations particular to the site due to its proximity to a stream. Because of these stormwater management ordinances and the amount of existing impervious coverage, the allowable size of the addition was limited. The building code requirements for minimum number of basement exits was another design hurdle. (You can read more about the building and zoning code challenges and our process for working through them here.)
The result was a casual-elegant breakfast room with views of the back yard through large windows and French doors that bring daylight into the new, larger kitchen. The mudroom has custom storage for coats and sports equipment and connects the garage to the kitchen. The basement level of the addition is a dedicated workout room. Between the workout room and the existing basement family room is a renovated laundry.
For another small addition with a big impact, see our sunny country kitchen project.