Old Home

Half finished view

Every project reaches a phase during construction, which only an architect can love.  There is that point in major renovations, when structural elements have been completed, but little of the trim or details have been put back in place.  None of the proportions, which make a building sing, are visible yet, and all the rough edges show through.  When this ungainly stage coincides with the spring mud season, we have a big mess.

On the other hand, hope springs eternal and after being nervous as an expectant father on many, many projects, I have learned that no matter how bad the half finished phase looks, the final outcome will match the drawings.  If the proportions work on paper, they will work in the field!

So, we clean our boots and hold our breath and imagine the chimney finished, the windows in, the lawn seeded, and a day when we can sit on the porch with a glass of wine, and watch the world go by.

Side View

Side view

To see the (de)evolution of this project please go to: You Have to Crack Some Eggs (#1), #2, and #3.

About the Author: James Crisp

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James M. Crisp has been an architect for well over 30 years. His architectural firm, Crisp Architects, designs projects throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In April of 2007, Taunton Press published 'On the Porch' by James M. Crisp and Sandra Mahoney.

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3 Comments

  1. A1B37De8C388469047E4Adc5E7289A32?S=54&R=G
    ilana March 10, 2011 at 8:08 am

    Nice they’re making the effort to save that old tree (maple?). The Christo-esque wrapping is very theatrical – can’t wait to see what’s underneath.

  2. E57E3000D3Cff0C4A40A0041E6B72Deb?S=54&R=G
    Janice August 3, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    ahhhh! Where is the rest? I’m hanging mid-story (storey? LOL)

  3. Aa2Cbf39867Dfccabe80558316A86802?S=54&R=G
    James Crisp August 3, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    There is a #5 which is interesting because we found an old letter, but we were not able to take final photographs. Disappointing for us too!

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