Century Apart
Century Apart is a modern addition to a historic home that spans exactly 100 years between its two volumes. Located in the rear yard to preserve both sightlines and historic integrity, the new space creates a distinct yet respectful dialogue with the original architecture. The new structure's clean, minimal palette and angular form contrast the ornamental detailing of the main home — showcasing how old and new can coexist harmoniously, each enhancing the other without imitation.
The addition was born from the clients’ desire to age in place while embracing a more simplified way of living. Rather than replicate the historic home’s Victorian detailing, the design introduces a monolithic new structure in the rear yard that allows the original facade to remain the focal point. The resulting composition is a study in restraint—letting the new volume breathe quietly alongside the old.
The form of the new structure features two faceted gables, shaped by both aesthetic intent and structural necessity. With the original home’s low ceiling heights offering little room to expand upward, the twin ridgelines carve out volume and openness within the addition. Their shape also adds sculptural dimension to the project, creating a dynamic form that stands on its own while drawing inspiration from the rooflines of the existing house.
With a backdrop of mature trees and a sweeping viewshed, the new addition is quietly offers a new chapter for the home and its family, one that honors the past while designing for the future.
