COOPER DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

GREEK REVIVAL HOUSE, Circa 1830

2008-11-08T16:11:00.001-08:00

End of September and the rear of the house sided with cedar clapboards.

November 2010.House as it was two years ago.
This wing was built circa 1881.
Front entry steps and completed door surround with new entablature and c0rnice as of 11.13.10.

Steps under construction.
Michael built the new entablature and cornice today.
When I measured this house, the original footprint turned out to be a 36'x36' square. That suggested to me that the golden section may have been used to determine regulating lines, and sure enough, the facade is full of golden ratios. Books like Sacred Geometry by Robert Lawlor or The Power of Limits by Gyorgy Doczi discuss proportional harmonies, but I've always been dubious. In this Greek Revival facade the golden sections are so overt that it can't be doubted.

Entry being framed.SHPO approved design.
Architect measuring existing conditions.
Sketchbook.
Proposed Portico Front Elevation
Proposed Portico Side Elevation.
Proposed Portico Section.
Proposed Portico Plan.
Initial concept sketches for the portico re-construction from about a year ago.Aerial photo showing rooftop.Finished office wing.
Michael Buongiorne's porch design. The vents are like clover leaves.
Under construction.

Architect's drawings.Finish paint and new lighting.
This wing was added long after the original Greek Revival house was built. It has beautiful light and a commanding view of the Erie Canal Basin in Medina.
Existing conditions at front entrance.
Original portico on Freeman House in Middleport as historical reference.
Re-constructed porch on Greek Revival House near Batavia somewhat faithful to the original porch, but in brick. We looked at Roger G. Kennedy's Greek Revival America for additional histoirical references.

Master Carpenter Michael Buongiorne with molding profile mock-up.

New work has focused on renovations to the more recent Italianate wing of the Greek Revival House. These renovations include historically accurate custom wood windows, insulation, electrical and plumbing work. The commercially zoned space will be available soon. Please contact Timothy D. Cooper for further information.

New windows from the interior.
View from out the East wing.

We have been trying to determine if the original windows were like the shorter window with 6/6 divided lights as pictured above or if the longer windows in the front of the house were original.Shutters which were found in the basement were hung on the original existing hardware on the exterior window casings strongly suggesting that the windows were lengthened at some point in the house's history.Would it be better to restore the windows to the original size or maintain the longer windows respecting the evolution of the house from the early 19th Century to the present?A strong argument for replacing the windows back to the smaller orignal size is that the cost of energy is much higher today than it was in the 19th or 20th Centuries. Energy efficient smaller windows would save money over the coming years.

This photo was taken shortly after the house was primed white.
Before roof was stripped and rebuilt and house was primed.Very fine original architectural trim has been refurbished. Extremely unusual old growth chestnut interior and exterior walls provide structural strength.

This shows the Greek Revival House's proximity to the Erie Canal Basin, one of the widest points along the canal. The Erie Canal Basin is the center of boating activity and towpath bike riding during the summer and walking/jogging throughout the year.
New custom-built window.
This shows a close-up of the house.

This wing could be used as an office or store, etc. The lot is zoned commercial.
Below are a couple of interesting quotes from Hamlin's Greek Revival Architecture in America pertaining to Western New York and Orleans County. Click on text to enlarge:
To read about Cyrus Wetherell click here.

SECOND EMPIRE HOUSE

2008-11-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

This Second Empire Cottage has been completely renovated.This house was built on Park Avenue in Medina, New York in 1890. In 2008-2009 it was purchased and fully renovated. The ceiling heights on both the first and second floors coupled with abundant natural light lend the house a delightful spatial sense. It is centrally located in the village within easy walking distance to the public library and main street. The large backyard faces south and is perfect for gardening. An alley serves the rear of the house.

Originally very well constructed, 213 Park Avenue has been completely updated, wired, insulated, leveled, plumbed (see the architectural drawings below). The quality of the materials and construction could not easily be replicated today at any cost, yet through renovation, we offered a solid house with a grand feel and 21st century amenities at a cost of $90 per s.f. This house feels like a mansion inside yet it is small enough to be very easily maintained.
Foundation Plan
First Floor PlanSecond Floor Plan

Before renovation.

After renovation.Before renovation.

After renovation.
During Renovation.
Before renovation.
The interior is clean and minimal to act as a foil to the fine 19th century detail. Above , an old chimney has been preserved and exposed. The house is easy to maintain and feels spacious due to high ceilings and beautiful light.Four panel interior doors lead downstairs and out, upstairs and to the bathroom.This view is looking toward the front door from the living room.

The railing was fabricated by a very skilled woodworker in Albion, New York. This photo shows the installation in progress. The newel post replicates the original which was destroyed. In historic homes, the house plans were placed in the newel upon completion of the house before the newel was capped.

Italianate House circa 1860, renovated and sold.

2008-11-05T17:37:00.000-08:00

Existing Elevations
Built ElevationsFirst Floor Plan BuiltSecond Floor Plan BuiltBefore renovation.During renovation.During renovation.After renovation.After renovation.After renovation.New windows to match original.Upstairs hall with concealed washer and dryer.Custom wood wndows.Custom wood windows.
Porch DetailsCustom wood brackets fabricated to match original.Neighbor across the street.
Next door neighbor.

Simple Gothic House, circa 1860

2008-11-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

This rendering depicts the layout.

New Medina Sandstone Addition

2008-11-03T06:35:00.000-08:00

This watercolor shows the existing house before the addition was added

Foundation Plan
First Floor PlanSecond Floor PlanSections
Elevations

This addition was intended to match the existing structure which was built in 1900 out of locally quarried Medina Sandstone.

Recycled Medina Sandstone

2008-09-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that in a period of less than sixty years this house was designed, built, lived-in and razed (in 1927). The Medina Sandstone pictured below was stockpiled after demolition and is being returned to Medina after about 140 years. The sandstone was quarried in Medina around 1870. It was transported to Buffalo and used to build the pictured house on Delaware Avenue at Utica Street. All of the Medina Sandstone pictured below was used to build the house pictured above: