Greentree Residence
Bloomfield Township, Michigan
2007


Originally built in 1945 by the architect Wallace Frost, this historic Modern home suffered a breakdown of the galvanized in-floor radiant heating system, which precipitated a complete renovation. The shared goal of the client and architect was the restoration of the home’s original design intention and details, along with the seamless integration of an addition and customizations that better fit the family’s contemporary lifestyle.

Because the home was built using slab on grade construction, everything but the walls had to be removed so that a new concrete slab could be installed. Carefully selected aggregate and dark pigment were added to the new slab to create a terrazzo-like surface. All of the built-in furniture and cabinetry was thoroughly documented before removal. Millwork and ceiling boards that had been layered with paint were replaced with European Beech, a variety of wood commonly associated with Modern furniture design. Italian travertine, another material popular in the era, was used as an accent throughout the home. A simple box-like second story addition was added at the nexus of three soaring roof forms. Originally a modest gable, the addition created an additional bedroom and a focal point at this central intersection.  Exterior surfaces once clad in aluminum siding were replaced with white cement fiberboard panels.