J.Neal Architecture & Design

Cape May Residence

Conceived in historic Cape May, NJ this project has been a very particular puzzle to work through.  Beyond working through the constraints of the local historic board, our site is located insular to a residential block and off an easement rather than a street front.  The existing structure is considering non-conforming, as is the site itself.

Using these constraints to our advantage we were able to piece together a design that, compliments its Victorian surroundings, incorporates new FEMA standards, and creates zoning and landscaping improvements, all lending to a custom home, with 18’ ceilings, and open floor plan for families to build summer memories within.

a computer rendering image of the exterior

the general vicinity map of construction site

after Hurricane Joaquin the city of Capy May took some aerial photos, and we were able to see the house under construction

during demolition we were able to salvage a lot of the material and plane it down to reuse for the flooring

a compilation of the facade construction in progress with SIP panels

getting the exterior work done with some little helpers

interior work coming together nicely

we designed and produced these custom cornice brackets for the exterior trim

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A total interior renovation plus addition to a historic home left vacant for 15 years in Federal Hill, Baltimore.  This project required going through the historic boards of Baltimore in order to apply for historic tax credit.  The existing historic quality of the home was maintained for purposes of the tax credit, and enhanced by many modern features including a fully custom centrally located stair functioning as a light well for natural light.  The stair, digitally designed and laser cut, invokes a pattern of flowing fabric.  Other features of the home include, selectively framed views of downtown, a butterfly roof blending contextual lines from surrounding buildings, designed for green roof installation, and the use of sustainable kebony siding which functions to tie the interior spaces to the new exterior patio space.

B.L.T. House

Initially conceived for entry into COMPETITION Baltimore CLT Rowhouse // BLT House // is a focused blend of simple pre-fabricated engineered wood technologies topped with the traditional aesthetics of a brick façade. The design palette reflects modern values: swift & cost-effective primary structure construction; carbon, energy & environmentally conscious selections of material assemblies & systems; livable & healthy spaces; dynamic & unique details for human delight.

Zoning and program requirements allowed for the creation of nine equal lots. Each lot features a building footprint of 16.4’ x 50’. Seven of the units are four-story, 2500 sf, three tenant units. Two of the units are three-story, two tenant, accessible units. The three-story accessible units will feature public spaces at grade, with an elevator to provide access to the second & third floor bedrooms. The play of the staggered roofscape adds texture to the BLT house development.

Minihouse

Approached by the friend of the firm to fully renovate and customize a home with a footprint of approximately 404 square feet existing, we have affectionately referred to the project as ‘Minihouse’ since it’s inception. Our design solutions stayed conscientious of all spatial opportunity, not to waste any volume of use, it utilized space saving mechanical systems, carefully orchestrated sections, and incorporated storage.  Finished, we were able to develop a space that playfully contracts and expands affording the illusion of a grandeur volume in a finished footprint of about 430 SF.

Though we encountered many obstacles along the way, from applications for zoning variance, to unforeseen structural concerns requiring all bearing be moved to the interior of the existing shell (further shrinking the space), and a subsequent need to scale back expense, we came out the other side with a happy client, and a ‘Minihouse’ we are excited to see come to fruition.

Tilford Residence

Interior and exterior renovation in a quintessential Baltimore row home. The interior space used the sensation of bathing outdoors as its primary inspiration. A well curated material palette reinforced sustainable techniques and artisan craftsmanship.

Sited in the alleyway of a Southern Baltimore neighborhood the design investigation utilized material curation and form to become sculptural within its context.  A true design-build project the entire project was carried out by myself Jason Neal (primary architect) with generous construction assistance from friends and family.

Georgetown Residence

Full renovation and addition to historic home in the heart of the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC.  We successfully balanced concept approval through one of the most stringent historic boards in the nation while ensuring all client needs were met and budget respected.  The result being a partially sunken standout rear addition, conscientiously integrated into the historic context and taking advantage of passive daylighting.  Overall, the finished product became a rewarding and fully custom home including the reconstruction of an existing sleeping porch as a 2 story addition at the rear of the home, completely reallocating the stair and circulation to better serve client needs, a basement dig out, custom storage systems including a built in loft and mobile partition wall in the 2nd floor guest bedroom to absorb the new hallway/existing windows when open, and make use of the natural light when closed.  A design-build project, we have walked the home through every phase including the current Construction Administration to ensure the project is completed with the same care in which is was designed.

For more information on the custom stair design please see our blog post: Georgetown Stairs

Porterhouse

A full renovation to a historic corner home in the Riverside neighborhood of Baltimore city, the client requested that a new storefront be designed to restore the home to something closer to its origins as a corner store.  In addition to increasing viable square footage by the addition of a modest storefront we have manipulated the section of the existing structure to elevate part of the 1st floor of the home effectively bringing the existing basement up to code as occupiable and increasing the marketable living space of the home by approximately 40%.

A typical small home in Baltimore we have reallocated the stair and circulation to maximize livable square footage in the home, as well as incorporated custom storage options specific to the client’s needs.