Need

Situated in the Nakoma Neighborhood, characterized by homes with typically one small car garage, our clients envisioned an upgrade to a two-car garage. Fortunately, their property backed up to an alley, offering a strategic opportunity to construct a detached two-car garage.

As part of this garage addition project, they also wanted a kitchen remodel.

Solution

After conducting a thorough survey, we strategically established the footprint and placement of the new garage, driveway, and sidewalk in relation to the house. In maintaining the architectural integrity of the historic home, we replicated numerous design elements for a seamless integration.

Challenge

While our client’s home in Sun Prairie, WI was initially designed with ADA accessibility features and guidelines, the first-floor owner’s suite lacked the space and amenities needed to create good traffic flow or ease of use.

Our client’s goal for this home addition was to build a large master suite retreat on the first floor—one that provided a new master bedroom that was big enough to lounge in. The vision for this space included a fireplace, a large walk-in closet, and an en suite bathroom.

The lower level addition would include a media/gaming room, an exercise room, and a comfortable guest room with a kitchenette and playroom.

As a design-build remodeling contractor, this project presented some unique design challenges. 

It not only had to meet our clients’ functional needs and design aesthetics, but it more importantly had to adhere to ADA standards of compliance. It also had to be designed with the same roof pitch facing south to incorporate the home’s existing solar panels. 

Solution

This 2,000 square foot home addition was designed and executed seamlessly to blend with the home’s original structure. The stone, siding, and trim details were all precisely matched and carried over to the new addition to match the existing architecture.

In keeping with ADA compliance guidelines, we designed reduced-height cabinetry into the playroom/kitchenette and bathroom areas, each with a deep 9″ high toe kick. We also created a zero clearance threshold shower into the master bathroom. A wheelchair radius of 78 inches allowed space for ease of movement between essential features in the bathroom, to include the sink, toilet, shower, and soaking tub. The tile was also intentionally chosen for the bathroom for its aesthetics, wearability, and easy-to-clean properties.

The master bedroom was placed in the rear of the home for both privacy and to allow our clients to take full advantage of the beautiful view in their back yard. 

For the youngsters in the home, we designed a climbing wall into the play room that had to be safely secured to the wall. The flooring was also carefully chosen for ADA compliance and functional use. For the gym area, we laid soft PVC wood-like vinyl gym floor tiles, for ultra-durability.

Challenge

Our clients in the Orchard Ridge Neighborhood of Madison, WI enjoyed the quaintness of their three-season porch, with its brick garage wall, stunning garden, and entertainment deck. Unfortunately, however, it lacked the sufficient space and lighting needed to be enjoyed all year round by their growing family, particularly their children and grandchildren. Our clients also desired a design that embodied the look, feel, and size of a conservatory—spacious, bright and perfect for entertaining.

Solution

Sweeney’s deep team of expert designers, project managers, and skilled carpenters worked closely with this fun-loving couple to design and build their vision of a beautiful conservatory-style sunroom. Stunning features were incorporated into the design, including Velux skylights, floor-to-ceiling Marvin windows (with transoms), exposed rafters, custom trim, and 3/4″ random width pine siding. Rounding out this timeless glass space style addition was a decorative coat of light-colored Benjamin Moore paint and heated tile flooring.

Challenge

This young family purchased an older home, traditionally laid out with separate rooms for the kitchen, living room, dining room and sunroom. Before they moved in, they wanted to convert the space into a contemporary open concept floor plan. As with most older homes, the flooring, finishes, cabinetry and appliances were also dated and didn’t fit this young couple’s lifestyle needs or stylistic preferences. They also needed a mudroom (a “must have” list item) to be used as a transitional space—to remove shoes, hang coats, and store everyday gear.

Solution

This extensive main floor remodel and mudroom addition was planned and executed with meticulous attention to detail by Sweeney’s deep team of certified remodeling professionals. Our crew ensured that our clients were inculcated into every design decision and stayed informed throughout the construction process, keeping a close eye on the budget and completion schedule.

To complete the open concept floor plan, non-load bearing walls were removed between the kitchen, dining, and living room, which also required a mechanical systems upgrade. The new contemporary style kitchen was designed with an informal dining area and features beautiful BH Presidio cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, including a GE refrigerator, dual fuel range, and a Zephyr ventilation hood. The walls were accented with Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter and Edgecomb Grey paint, the windows were replaced with energy efficient Marvin windows, and the floors were finished in beautiful Appalachian Select Red Oak.

Adjacent to the kitchen and garage, the mudroom addition required changes in elevation and was designed with durable Montauk black slate tile to withstand the toughest of muddy foot-trafficked days. Creating a flawless and practical design, Sweeney built custom storage units into the mudroom, a necessity for much needed hidden storage.

Challenge

This private home nestled in the woods had a back deck that attracted mosquitoes at night and cooled to a temperature that was uncomfortable to enjoy.

They wanted to convert the deck into a four season sunroom addition while keeping the existing foundation windows and chimney. It was also important for the addition to blend seamlessly with the rest of their home.

Solution

Working with a structural engineer, we preserved our client’s brick chimney using post footings, and installed Trex decking. Incorporating natural light into the design plan, the new Mon-Ray high performance aluminum windows were chosen purposefully to allow cool air to circulate during warm summer nights, and lock in the heat during cool spring or winter evenings.

Challenge

With an itching green thumb, this homeowner dreamed up a garden shed addition to store her gardening essentials—one that would be convenient to access and made to fit her expansive garden.

Solution

Maintaining the setback distances suggested by the building department, Sweeney built a garden shed addition that matched the color and architectural detail of the home. It was placed within 10 ft of the rear property line and 15 ft from the side-lot line to provide functional access to the shed, and built parallel to the fence. Looking at the landscape, the shed was also strategically placed on level ground, away from water collection points, and low branches.