Wo-Built Inc: Clients' Advocate for making their Dream Home happen: The Development of an Addition Project: Part 1

Tuesday 25 November 2008

The Development of an Addition Project: Part 1

Wo-Built's Development of a Second Floor Addition Project 2008

Wo-Built's Second Floor Addition Project
Photo © 2008 Wo-Built Inc.

This year we were fortunate in being a part of an addition project and its many challenges. In this project we gutted the main floor to create a totally open concept space. In a space like this there are two main challenges: integrating a large visual element such as a kitchen and lighting the space that accentuates positively in a comfortable way.

The kitchen has to be an integral part that stands out and makes a statement, but does not dominate to the detriment of the remaining space. The kitchen needs to be designed in such a way that it looks included in the space - not just to stand out in one area with no relationship to the rest.

We (the client and our wo-built team) managed to integrate the kitchen by continuing the cabinets on the opposite side of the kitchen, hence tying the space together. The client’s furniture also added a correct scale to the place.

The lighting in a large room is always a challenge. It is absolutely vital to have an up-lighting component in one or more areas to ensure that the ceiling does not feel too low. A bright ceiling makes a room feel higher. Lighting of the perimeter is necessary to brighten the boundaries of the space for reference. Light walls make a room feel larger.

Our client wanted to match the kitchen cabinets with their existing furniture and opted for a rich dark finish which presented a challenge for the lighting. The pot lights were continued around the perimeter for definition, but because of the dark finish the area would have looked too dark due to the very little reflection coming off the cabinets. The area was brightened with pendent light fixtures that brought a diffused lighting quality to the space. Under counter lighting was also introduced to brighten the area.

All of the elements described above made the project a great success!

Stay tuned for a further progress report on our addition project.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Wo-Built's Projects
Wo-Built's Second Floor Addition Project
Wo-Built Inc.: The Development of an Addition Project: Part 1
Wo-Built Inc.: The Development of Our Addition Project: Part 2
Wo-Built Inc.: The Development of Our Addition Project: Part 3

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