Architectural Resource Opens Doors of Award-Winning, Ann Arbor Remodeled Home for Public Tours

View Craftsman Home Featured in Sarah Susanka's Not-So-Big Remodeling

Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) May 27, 2009 -- In today's economy, many people are looking for ways to remodel and improve their existing home in ways that match their dreams of the ideal home. On Saturday, June 13, from 9am - 5pm, local architectural firm, Architectural Resource (www.architecturalresource.com), will provide a unique opportunity for members of the public to explore how a well-designed and planned remodel magically transforms a smaller living space into an elegant, functional and energy-efficient home that makes dreams a reality.

Michael Klement, Principal of Architectural Resource, will lead tours through one of Ann Arbor's most award-winning remodeled homes. The circa-1928 Sears Craftsman bungalow is featured in Sarah Susanka's recently-published book, Not-So-Big-Remodeling. Participants will have an opportunity to explore the remodel first-hand, speak with the homeowner, and will learn more about the design and remodel process.

To register for a tour, call Habitat for Humanity at (734) 677-1558. A donation to Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley is invited, but not required. The number of participants in each tour is limited in order to enhance the experience for participants and allow time for in-depth exploration of remodeling trends. Advance registration is highly recommended.

"When I walk around this house, I still get fits of giggles at how amazingly this project turned out," says the homeowner. "It seems less the product of design, and more our dreams turned directly into reality.

Sarah Susanka's Not So Big® design philosophy is faithfully and invitingly employed. "Architectural Resource is one of a handful of architectural firms I know of who not only understand how to apply Not So Big principles to remodeling, but also consistently seek out small-scale, modest scope projects that fly under the radar of the design press (and sometimes even of fellow architects)," said Marc Vassallo, co-author of Not So Big Remodeling. "I was especially pleased to include two of Michael Klement's projects in Not So Big Remodeling: a Bungalow that gained real character and street presence with the addition of paired porch columns and other thoughtful details, and a ranch house in which one key move--adding a clever clerestory window--changed everything for the better, inside and out. Both projects are excellent examples of doing more with less."

"With a smaller living space, we focused our design on creating an elegant and space-efficient home that has the illusion of a much larger living space," says Michael Klement, president of Architectural Resource. "With this particular property, we've given attention to period detail. This is evident in the Craftsman-styled interior woodwork, the glazed personalized Motawi tiles in the fireplace surround and kitchen, the inglenooks, and the clustered & cross-tied columns."

The custom renovation, built by Washtenaw Woodwrights, was also featured in the January 2009 issue of Fine Homebuilding Magazine.

About Architectural Resource

Architectural Resource (AR) is a full-service, award-winning Ann Arbor architectural design firm specializing in fine residential design of new homes, cottages, additions, remodels and renovations with an emphasis on Green design. Recognized with over 89 design awards in the last seven years, AR's work has been featured in several national and regional publications including Old House Interiors, American Bungalow, Qualified Remodeler, Professional Remodeler, Remodeling Magazine, Kitchen and Bath Design News, Place, Women's Day - Home Remodeling Makeover, and The Detroit News. AR recently designed the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certified whole-house remodel in Michigan; only the fifth in the entire nation. The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations.

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