The home building surge of the 1950s has helped to create what has become a huge remodeling market. There are more than 100 million homes that are ideal candidates for updating and retrofitting. As opposed to large energy-draining McMansion houses popular in the 1980s, recent studies indicate that homeowners now crave greener and smaller homes with an open floor plan, and these homes will only continue to grow in popularity as energy costs continue to rise.

The 1,780 sf Beach House Retrofit Project is a working model of the ultimate green retrofit home. The vast majority of the design, techniques, materials, products and approach used in the project can be applied to ANY other homes to achieve the same environmentally sound living space. The Beach House Retrofit Project will stand, not only as an inspiration for current and potential homeowners, but for industry professionals as well.

As with many older homes, the 1932 bungalow structure, which for many years actually did serve as a beach house, was quickly fading away and falling into disrepair. Located at 14 Gilbert Street, the home is situated on the west shore of Truesdale lake in South Salem, a hamlet of Lewisboro, NY.

For a reduced impact on the environment, and because we can all live better in smaller homes, the existing building footprint of this home remained intact, and in fact, was actually reduced by 60 sf. That is not to say that the home does not feel bigger than actually is. There are many ways to make any home feel more spacious, the main one being adequate design.

The retrofitted, modern bungalow home features an open floor plan with the kitchen, dining and lounge areas on the main floor. Here, floor to ceiling glass doors invite the outside in with views of the waterfront and, with a wide welcoming patio, is designed to encourage outdoor living. A two-sided stone fireplace provides warmth and serves as a focal design element. The first level also includes a wet bar that 'spills outside', a mudroom and half bath.

The upper level features an outstanding master suite with a two-sided gas fireplace, a soaking tub, and a state-of-the-art shower. All with sweeping waterfront views as well.  Two additional bedrooms, another bathroom and laundry facilities complete the floor.

The lower level, aka the basement, features yet another fireplace, this one without combustibles, only the electric type; a large flat screen TV sits just above it. On the South side, where you find plenty of natural light, a gym area is inviting you for a periodic visit. But perhaps you will prefer to pay a visit to the custom vintage wine cellar instead, which is just a few steps prior. And finally, two small closets contains the silent mechanical equipment of the house that quietly keeps it humming night and day, all year around.