This project is a perfect example of what can happen when forgotten and under-utilized spaces take on a new life with careful planning, good design and skillful execution. This dark walk out basement was wasted space, but with some of the best waterfront views in the house. The owners wanted to turn it into a functional but beautiful space that would add a strong indoor-outdoor component and usable square footage, taking advantage of the seaside location and pool. They turned to the architects at SV Design, Siemasko + Verbridge, and builders at Cape
Associates, to make their vision a reality.
The team removed a number of built-ins, walls and rooms to create a bright, open entertaining space with several areas placed throughout for various activities; a kitchen, eating area, bar, tv/lounge area, and billiards table. A large wine storage built-in fills a wall adjacent to the billiards table. The new doors, surrounding the kitchen and eating area, all open to the pool and outdoor seating with a firepit. A flip up window on the bar makes an easy passthrough for cold drinks on hot summer days. What was once a standard basement with a laundry room and built-ins obscuring the best views, and a large storage closet breaking up the usable space, will now be a guaranteed hot spot for entertaining given its easy flow, ocean breezes, and access to the spectacular scenery.
Cape Associates and SV Design incorporated some of the typical basement elements, such as jumbled ductwork at the ceiling and unattractive support columns as elements to enhance the overall design.
Instead of trying to remove the ductwork, they strategically (Continued from front…) dropped portions of the ceiling down to create ceiling coffers that shaped the uses of space while concealing the ductwork. The raised ceiling and cove lighting of the dining area, family room and game room divide what is one large space and add interesting details that look like seamless parts of the design. Large storage closets were removed and the utilitarian support columns, within the removed walls, were given a decorative finish work which transformed them into attractive design elements that enforce the definition of the new spaces in the open floor plan.
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Basement Renovation, Chatham
Project Manager – Rich Bryant
Foreman – Mike Denton
Architect – Siemasko + Verbridge
