Our homes are one of—if not the—the most significant purchases we will ever make. While real estate is usually considered a sound long-term investment, many homeowners look for ways to increase the value and usability of their dwellings.
Architect Ben Adam has undertaken this task for many houses in and around Boerne. For Adam, the work is about building up the town he calls home while preserving our community's unique history; after all, his relatives have lived here since its founding.
As we tour one of the homes he has redesigned, we will highlight the elements Adam and homeowner/designer Sarah Hardin included to update and add value to the house while maintaining its timeless charm.
Historic Hob Home Remodel & Addition
Interior Designer | Sarah Hardin
Builder | Chris Godsey
Architect | Ben Adam, AIA
The original log cabin dates back to the 1850s and underwent at least three additions before the 1900s. One addition in 1870 used limestone that remained after the construction of the Kendall County Courthouse. Typical of older houses, these additions resulted in a complex of small and specific-use rooms. Therefore, updating it with an open-plan family room and kitchen was at the top of the client’s list.
As both the homeowner and designer, Hardin wanted to create a link to her family’s New Orleans and Southern heritage. She worked closely with Adam to ensure her vision came to life. They replaced the old, skinny posts with round columns like her grandparents' home in Houston, and the columns were moved to flank the current front door. Hardin selected reclaimed brick for the front porch during their first remodel and had the brick flow through the house, down the hall, and outside to the New Orleans-style courtyard. As an essential component of her vision, Hardin added dormers for the attic to break up the long roofline. Inside, the main hallway runs the length of the house and looks out to the rear courtyard. Along it, many of the additions the home has acquired over the years are visible—the log cabin, limestone, and clapboard siding walls are all on display. Hardin and Adam even incorporated an original limestone outbuilding at the end of the hall because the home and building lined up exactly.
The completed project involved a remodel of approximately 2,200 square feet and another 2,300 square feet, with 400 added on the second story.
benadamarchitect.com | 830-446-6444 | 115 James St.
