.JPG)
Winner of the Webster Groves Award of Excellence for Historic Preservation and Craftsmanship
Architect/Designer Consolidated Construction Group
Contractor Consolidated Construction Group
Others to be recognized John McCreery, building inspector
Mike Harney, building commissioner
Henry Moglia, public works
Many Helpful Folks at City Hall
Mike Voges, realtor and visionary
Brief Description of Project – Complete interior and exterior renovation of a unique 1924 home in the Tuscan style constructed in the Sherwood Forest subdivision.
History – The owners had long admired the distinguished and diverse homes of Webster Groves. They finally decided to seriously pursue moving into the area in late 2003. Mike Voges was contacted due to her familiarity with Webster Groves real estate. Knowing the owner’s background in architecture and construction, she found a real diamond-in-the-rough that needed “a little fixing up” and a healthy dose of TLC. The house was purchased in early June of 2004. Before closing the sale, the living room ceiling collapsed due to rotted ceiling joists caused by years of leaking plumbing. This was a sign of things to come.
Repairs, Demolition, or Preservation? – The original intent was to make cosmetic repairs and apply a fresh coat of paint. Unfortunately, as wallpaper was stripped and plaster came off in sections, the owners rapidly discovered that the house was in far greater need of repairs than originally thought (or feared!). Multiple roof leaks required removal of the clay tile roof and replacement of the original underlayment. The floor joists not rotted by bad plumbing were bowed due to spanning large distances, supporting bearing walls without proper support below, or both. Termites had returned to feast on the new lumber installed by the previous owners to repair old termite damage. The cause for slow drainage was found to be collapsed sewer lines. The original boiler built in 1919 gasped its last breath. A window air conditioner fell to its untimely death. The foundation had no footing. Site drainage ran over, under, around and through the basement. “A l ittle fixing up” was no longer realistic. The only decision was whether to demolish the structure or embark upon the long and arduous task of preservation. The graceful lines of the home with the exterior plaster and brick trim in the Tuscan style of Italy won out over the easier tear down option.
Preservation Preferred – A complete renovation was in order. The major projects within the project were:
- A new hand-dug footing and foundation was installed below the existing foundation to create a new 8 foot tall ceiling in the basement. Over 2500 bags of premix concrete were lovingly mixed by hand. A complete interior and exterior drain system with electric backup sump pump was installed with a complete underground piping system discharging at the curb.
- The existing interior doors and existing decorative windows were stripped, repaired, refinshed, and reinstalled including the original interior door hardware.
- Over 90% of the floor joists were replaced. A new steel column and steel beam support system was installed. All interior framing was removed. All of this was done while supporting the existing structure.
- All of the brick trim was unable to be cleaned. Each brick was subsequently replaced with new. The brick arches of the sun room were re-built with new steel support beams when the original arches collapsed.
Distinguishing Features and Special Materials Used – The gently swooping roof curves were maintained and enhanced by replacing the dilapidated front porch with a new structure complete with a curved gabled roof. Interior openings in the living room were widened and re-framed with elliptical arches to replicate the existing arches of the sun room. The arch theme was repeated in a smaller interior opening between the kitchen and hall, the fireplace, and arched ceilings above the shower and bathtub in the upstairs bathrooms. The entire exterior was re-plastered with colored stucco and new brick trim was installed in a palate chosen from pictures of Mediterranean and northern Italy homes. Bordered floors, representative of classic Roman and Greek design, were installed in the sun room, living room, dining, room, and upstairs bathrooms. The sun room used a native Italian multi-colored slate arranged in a pattern to mimic Roman baths. The hardwood of the living room and dining room incorporated the narrower oak flooring that was popular at the turn of the century with walnut boarder trim and inlaid walnut corner trim pieces. The upstairs bathroom floors and entry were likewise done in a border theme utilizing Italian marbles and patterns. The new millwork used simple eased-edge casing enhanced by ogee trim pieces that are found in northern Italian homes. The beamed ceiling of the dining room and panel mold on the walls as well as the fireplace mantle are reminiscent of homes built at the beginning of the 20th century. The first floor wall colors were also chosen after looking at magazine pictures of Tuscany homes. A slate-stamped dark colored concrete walk and stairs in extended widths was used to greet visitors to the newly restored home complete with cut-in stone steps and borders at plaza areas.
Craftsmanship – The entire project was a labor of love for the many trades that were allowed to showcase their talents. Replacing all of the structural elements of the house without causing more damage was particularly challenging. The plaster work, hardwood floors, tile work, masonry, and millwork were done by skilled craftsman who repeatedly expressed their delight in being able to take the time and employ their best efforts to create a result that the owners truly enjoy. Welcome home to Webster Groves!