4328 Evans Chapel

A typical semi-detached Baltimore home set on an atypical lot, 4328 Evans Chapel presented a unique opportunity to disrupt the orthogonal urban grid and exploit its angular lot to transform both the internal spatial experience and the homes’ relationship with the street. Initially approached as a conventional interior renovation of a badly neglected home, the Architect and Client worked closely to explore more complex interventions that would enable their home to better serve their daily needs, express their personal style, and facilitate their lifestyle. The result: a contemporary metal and wood clad addition that extends perpendicular from the home while aligning parallel with the angled side setback, creating unique and intimate spaces where old and new merge – a den on the ground floor and home office above. This bold new form sits confidently next to the handsomely restored original home, a fraternal twin that echoes the massing and detail of its sibling while proudly proclaiming its independence.

The home’s original cedar shake siding was preserved, restored, and patched, and complemented by the warm tones of the sapele and glossiness of the corrugated metal. Large, domed skylights capture light for interior spaces, illuminating the primary bath and an impossibly thin steel stair designed and fabricated by the Owners themselves. The extroverted addition hovers ever so slightly over the quiet street below and is punctuated by playful, rhythmically punched openings which frame views of the cozy village beyond. Spaces are defined by the windows that define their edges – more private spaces are contained within the original envelope of the home while larger window openings on the addition allow for greater connection to the outdoors.

This project represents what is possible when renovating older homes on quirky lots: design decisions can be driven by creativity, uninhibited by reliance on traditional patterns and forms.