Is adding on to a bungalow simply not done? We have a very small 2/1 bungalow and are interested in adding a second story with dormers, possibly opening up the ceiling and adding a loft space as well as turning the garage into a modern art studio with skylights and a built-in spa.

Do what *you* want. There are no rules that say one cannot modify a bungalow. The key in any remodel, however, is being sensitive to the existing structure. The finished product should not look like an addition, but rather as part of the original house. <br>Kelly

If you do add on, I suggest you get an architect who is familiar with bungalows to designing your addition. You will want to match not only materials and details, but also proportions and scale to make sure the new fits seamlessly with the old. A good architect will deal not only with the things you think about, but also the things you never thought of. When I built my new house, the architect fees were the best value of the whole project.

I don't know where you are at, but the Chicago Bungalow Initiative offers plans for $10 that are architectural drawings for a rear addition, dormer addition, bathroom remodel, and a kitchen remodel. <br> <br>These were designed for Chicago style bungalows and here is the information quoted from the Chicago Bungalow Initiative website; <br>"The idea is to assist project architects and contractors with typical projects, to provide them with guidelines that fit the historic Chicago bungalow design guidelines, and to simplify the permit process for the City. <br> <br>For $10, a set of black & white architectural drawings includes pages required for permitting, a site plan, demolition plan, and floor plan, each with model drawings and examples as well as a place to insert specific dimensions for the project in question. Each set ranges between 12-15 pages. <br> <br>The drawings also provide detailed plans and guides for cost estimating so that homeowners can cost-effectively plan for their renovation and are ready for the city's permitting process. The documents additionally include sections, plans, elevations, details, materials inventories and cost worksheets." <br> <br>The website has other great information about bungalows in general. Included is a page titled "Design Guidelines" listing "Do's" and "Don'ts" that can be used on any bungalow restoration. <br> <br>http://chicagobungalow.org/index.html is a link to the website. <br> <br>Jerry <br>Aspen Carpet Designs - Mokena, IL <br>www.AspenCarpetDesigns.com <br>Prairie, Craftsman, Usonian Custom Area Rugs <br>

I found the book, "Bungalows: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New" by M. Caren Connolly a good source of inspiration. <br> <br>I think for many growing families, trying to live today's lifestyle in a house that was designed 70 or 80 years ago is a challenge. This book presents ideas on how to solve that problem. <br> <br>Check out the resource list at the end of the book, and definitely consult with an architect who specializes in bungalow remodels.

Adding on is certainly done--usually in the back. My house started life as a 2-1, and had an addition of 2 bedrooms put on 10 years after it was built, straight out the back. Then, they started either excavating or finishing the basement, leaving me with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and an accessory apartment of 1 bed, 1 bath to rent out to a married student couple from the university. Going up is the tough addition to blend correctly--unless you do an in the gable type thing. Also--keep in mind that quite often adding on is expensive in comparison to finding another home that is larger. I don't know anything about where you live, your neighborhood, etc,. If you are in California--that may not be the case.

The challenge to adding onto a historic house is complex. That book mentioned below sounds like a great way to start. But not only do you have to consider functionality, but how does the renovation work with the house as a whole. That is where it gets tricky. It is very difficult to make new blend with old and have it look and feel right (at least for me). Many people here on this board have married new and old fantastically. But changes should be done with consideration to the original architecture of the house. If no consideration is done, the result is a disconnection between the new and the old. <br> <br>As I have stated before, I am not a purist and think that in order to live in the present and own an old house, compromises must be made, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. But be very careful! Many people have had their renovations end up in Old House Journal on the remuddling page, too...these are the worst case scenero of old meets (or, more accurately, vs.) new. <br> <br>Good luck in your endeavors, and I hope you can find the happy middle!