On a historic estate along the Main Line of Philadelphia, a 19th century gatehouse was all that remained of the original property. It is now transformed into a 21st century family residence with updates and improvements designed to complement and enhance the whimsical spirit of the original Tudor style.

Creating a new glazed family entry of the main driveway allowed for easier access to the newly configured mudroom and the rest of the house. Two new shed dormers on the second floor subtly enhance the exterior but also presented an opportunity to dramatically capture more finished living space, creating a primary bedroom suite with ample closet and circulation space. Where necessary, new casings and trim profiles were milled to match existing ones. Windows throughout were replaced with new solid wood ones, original sticking profiles, and sash construction all meticulously replicated from existing examples. A new full-height basement was excavated over the existing crawl-space footprint to capture more living space.

At the exterior, a new detached garage and secondary driveway, pool and pool pavilion were designed. The new Tudor-styled garage and pavilion create a cohesive aesthetic with the house. The placement of these accessory elements, nestled into their surrounding gardens, are focal points from the house and main terrace, destinations to admire and explore as part of the overall experience. A deliberate sequence of intimate landscaped moments strings together the architectural elements with the new terraces, gardens, and lawn, all helping to strengthen the site’s natural beauty.