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Category 1 / Historic Residential Renovation
Second Place: L.J. Torno Jr. & Associates, 34 N. Brentwood, 314-721-3911
The Project: On April 15, 1870, Otto Monnig purchased this building at East Front and Gutenberg streets in Hermann. He used it for his hardware and cutlery business; later, his son-in-law opened a drugstore and post office in the building. The second floor contained two apartments, and the third floor provided storage and meeting space for a fraternal order. In 1971, the building was included in the newly formed Hermann Historic District.
The owners of a local winery purchased the building in the 1980s. They decided to use the two upper floors as a bed-and-breakfast and remodel the first-floor kitchen. The architect’s assignment: Create four luxurious guest suites per floor, achieve ADA compliance with a new elevator and lobbies, update the HVAC systems, restore the patterned slate roofing and cornice gutters, replicate the cornices, replace the windows, and create a third-floor balcony—all in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation.
Third Place: Rosemann & Associates, 1221 Washington, 314-678-1448, rosemann.com
The Project: Once white and nondescript, this six-building complex, formerly home to a lighting company, rarely got a second glance. Today, its colorful transformation into lofts demands attention. Constructed in 1907, the 61,000-square-foot complex was sold in 2004. During the preliminary site assessment, one of the architects noticed one building’s exterior paint had chipped away, revealing a glittering, golden brick facade. The architects capitalized on that find, establishing an array of gold, green, blue, and brick-red that created a South Beach, Miami–inspired look. The firm chose contemporary interior aesthetics contrasting historic and modern features. Kitchens here contain granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, and cabinetry with translucent-paneled doors hinging upward instead of sideways. Original ceilings and exterior walls remain intact and unfinished, resulting in a cohesive clash between old and new.
The outcome: 60 units ranging from 771 to 1,865 square feet. Most units include large wood or concrete columns with windows up to 15 feet wide and 7 feet tall. After construction wrapped up in June 2008, all units were leased in 58 days.
Category 2 / Small Remodel
Second Place: Tom Young, 6451 Oleatha, 314-471-3867
The Project: As a young intern architect practicing in St. Louis, it was a goal of Tom Young’s to use his first home as a prototype for exploring design and revitalization. His concept was that any well-built, aging structure could be purchased and tastefully retrofitted to accommodate the modern lifestyle of a young professional couple. He searched for a project that required an extensive renovation—and on a scale such that he could independently design and construct it within a modest budget of $40,000.
With this in mind, he and his wife began the search for their home in late summer 2007. The property they found was a 1920s bungalow located in the Lindenwood Park neighborhood in south St. Louis. It was approximately 1,000 square feet. Other buyers were discouraged by the home’s enclosed front porch, which had been constructed in a haphazard manner, as well as its outdated kitchen and bathroom and nonfunctional floor plan.
Conceptually speaking, Young believed a southern-facing, enclosed front porch was a great opportunity to create an entry vestibule. Moreover, the porch doubled as a light well to fill the public spaces of the home with natural light. By removing the partition that divided the kitchen from the dining room, the Youngs were able to create an open space adequate for entertaining. In addition, they maintained some of the original character of the space by restoring the existing stained-glass windows and refinishing traditional moldings unique to these south St. Louis homes. They then painted the walls and moldings white, to create a monolithic modern backdrop to the natural materials and furniture pieces displayed throughout the home.
And by executing all phases of the renovation themselves, they were able to complete this project within their very conservative budget.
Third Place: Studio|Durham, 1856 Menard, 314-664-4574, studiodurham.com/contact.html
The Project: A family of five purchased a traditional Tudor-style brick home in Clayton. With the exception of the kitchen and a poorly built 1980s-era family room addition, most of the house was in good shape. The client requested a larger kitchen and a more usable family room.
The design solution involved creating a larger kitchen by combining what had been the original kitchen and a butler’s pantry. The family room was replanned to make it easier to furnish; its exterior doors were all eliminated or relocated and its built-ins were removed. Existing decayed windows were replaced with larger units with aluminum eyebrows to reduce heat gain.
Flooring is 9- by 18-inch limestone tiles. Custom cabinetry is walnut, with honed black granite and stainless-steel countertops. The exterior of the family room had vinyl siding, which was replaced with horizontal cypress siding installed in a rain-screen system. New windows are clad in anodized aluminum with aluminum trim.
Category 3 / Large Remodel (Greater Than 1,000 Square Feet)
Second Place: Bond Wolfe Architects, 200 S. Bemiston, 314-863-4994, bondwolfe.com
The Project: This interior renovation project combined households. The Tudor-inspired duplex is owned and shared by a mother and her daughter, each occupying a separate unit.
The 1,519-square-feet east unit renovation, occupied by the mother, focused on finding space for programmatic elements such as the redirection of the lower-level entrance, a powder-room addition through a barrel vault, and creation of a functional mudroom. Numerous interior walls were eliminated to offer an open, eat-in kitchen and breakfast room with a traditional feel. Closets were removed and relocated, funneling natural light into the front foyer to highlight the owner’s art collection. The design allowed the original hardwood floors to be salvaged and reused.
The west side of the duplex, 2,067 square feet occupied by the daughter and her family of four, was modernized with a new and expanded contemporary kitchen, including a polished herringbone travertine floor pattern flanked by contemporary cabinets and furniture—eliminating a central “hall of doors.” A new family room in the formerly underutilized lower level was created. The lower-level family space includes a kitchenette, bar, media center, and laundry area. This new space offers the family a comfortable group area for playing games, watching television, and relaxing.
Second Place: Jeff Day & Associates, 2722 Hampton, 314-644-2775, jeffdayllc.com
The Project: Originally built in 1925, the modernization of this home received historic tax credits. The entire home was refurbished. Not one window, door, or room was left untouched, bringing an upscale new life to this 4,500-square-foot classic home. The former attached garage was transformed into a new hearth room that opens into the newly renovated kitchen.
Above the renovated kitchen, the former master bedroom was converted into a master bath and closet, and a new master bedroom was added above the hearth room. A brick three-car garage was added to replace the previous two-car garage.
Third Place: Busenbark Carpet/Excellence Design, 8060 E. I-70 Drive, Columbia, Mo., 573-474-7550
The Project: What to do you do with a country home that has an awkward layout and a primitive interior? Radical surgery. Walls came down in order to better use space and improve traffic flow and function. Rooms were redesigned to fit with adjacent structures. For example, a kitchen closet and a study were converted into a butler’s pantry and dining room.
To remedy an awkward, seldom-used sitting room in the front of the house, the fireplace was moved to the corner of the room and enhanced with a Giallo Beach granite surround and finished with a maple mantle and bookcases on either side. Finally, the maple paneling was antiqued in its entirety with a chocolate glaze.
To create the illusion of breadth in the long, narrow great room, wooden beams were placed along the ceiling. An old-world fireplace was created in the center of the room, which was finished in travertine stone.
Category 4 / Addition to Existing Residence
Second Place: Fendler & Associates, 5201 Pattison, 314-664-7725, fendlerworld.com
The Project: This elegant stone house in Ladue was constructed in the early 1930s and lacked a modern-day kitchen and family room. Existing site constraints, most notably a pool and carriage house, prohibited an addition on the back of the house. The architects therefore designed an addition to the front and side of the existing structure including an “outdoor room” with a fireplace built onto the existing carriage house, which helped to connect the new addition to the existing garage. The house is a very visible and prominent structure on the street—so one of many challenges was designing an addition to the front of the house that would blend seamlessly with the existing structure.
The family room boasts an impressive vaulted ceiling with paneled walls, a fireplace with flanking built-in window seats and bookcases, and a second-floor balcony.
Third Place: Marc Christian Fine Cabinetry, 2366 Schuetz, 314-994-7111, marcchristian.com
The Project: This lady’s bath—an addition to the existing residence—was designed to be a luxurious retreat. The custom bow-front vanity with honed marble counter is flanked by beveled mirror–faced linen cabinets and augmented with a complementary bow-front lingerie dresser. Custom white cabinetry appoints the walk-in closet with personalized storage for folded and hung clothing, shoes, and boots. A mirrored purse-storage armoire features a built-in jewelry cabinet.
The shower and soaking tub are wrapped in honed Carrera marble that complements the marble floor. The monochromatic color scheme is finished with satin-nickel fixtures and accessories.
Category 5 / Addition Independent of the Home
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