Many of us can probably recall favorite memories or unique features of the house we grew up in or perhaps a dream house we wish we had. There is something fascinating about the style of a house: its architectural design, the setting in which it was constructed and the history that may accompany it. Older houses in particular bring an added touch of mystery – in the painted clapboard, mottled brick and weathered slate as well as in the faded wallpaper, mellowed floorboards and hand-rubbed hardware. An old house has a soul nurtured by the passage of time. Historic preservation and period-inspired new design can help enhance the present character of a traditional house or a new structure desiring to tell a story over time. Within Berks County, Red Oak Restorations, LLC, has been doing its part to preserve history.
LAUNCHING A PASSION
Since 1993, Red Oak Restorations has been designing and building additions, kitchens, baths, woodwork and renovation projects for older homes. Located outside of Fleetwood, their mission has been to create aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting work in the spirit of the original master builders. Their primary focus is on period design, preservation and restoration of antique houses, barns and other property structures within Berks County. Although most of their work has been with classic Pennsylvania farmhouses, they have also done work on pre-war through mid-century dwellings, always keeping in mind and respecting the existing building and working with the natural features of its surroundings.
According to owner Joe Hammes, the best design is one that is almost always rooted in the past, for the past provides the comfort of familiarity, proven functionality and an admission that derivative form lasts forever. Hammes’s interest in period design preservation grew from a passion for old houses. A graduate of Kutztown University with a degree in professional writing, Hammes worked as a part-time carpenter to cover his college expenses. Instead of pursuing his degree, Hammes decided to follow his passion, which over time turned into a profession. His training, which has been primarily hands-on and self-taught through professional trade publications, has progressed from handling small architectural renovations by himself to larger projects, an established business and a current crew of five professionals.
“Ever since I was young, I always had an admiration for old buildings; I would examine the architecture, the details, the lines of a structure and try to understand why things looked the way they did,” says Hammes. “An important quality of our work is to not only maintain the history of the structure, but also ensure the integrity and authenticity remains intact,” explains Hammes.
BUILDING CHARACTER WITH A PAST
According to Hammes, period restoration is the process of bringing a building back to its former point in history. Older farmhouses are of particular interest to Hammes and his crew. He compares these antique structures to the patchwork on a quilt. Each layer of renovation or addition tells a tale about how the place grew from generation to generation.
“The older farmhouses found in this area were built for Pennsylvania German farmers. Using high quality materials such fieldstone, brick, wood, plaster, etc., [the builders] constructed simple, primitive and sturdy houses and barns that would withstand the test of time. Their patterns were classic and simple, with little in the way of excessive ornamentation, and that complements our style of work,” says Hammes.
Red Oak Restorations provides both internal and external construction, with a weighted interest towards internal projects. Depending on the size and complexity of the job, Hammes and his crew will manage all the details of the project, beginning with the architectural design, which is Hammes’s responsibility. On occasion, outside professionals will be contracted to handle the mechanical features if the project warrants more technical and intricate details.
Constructing an addition to an existing structure can sometimes present more of a challenge. Hammes and his crew are extremely meticulous about getting new construction to blend well with an existing structure.
“If the addition looks as if it has always been there, that defines a successful project to us,” says Hammes. “It is all about the scale, the details and making sure everything has a seamless look – as if the addition was always a part of the original structure.” Wherever possible, Hammes incorporates salvaged, antique materials to help authenticate his work.
He and his crew are presently constructing an addition to an 1851 stone house located in Rockland Township. The addition will include a new kitchen, living area, bathroom and bedroom. Hammes explains that when he takes on a project, many factors are taken into consideration prior to drafting the design. Such aspects include the structure of the current building and how it is rooted within the landscape, the relationship with other buildings located on the property or nearby, style, colors and, of course, the owner’s input.
“For example, if I’m designing a new kitchen for a house built before kitchens as we knew them then to exist during that time period, new or vintage appliances may be incorporated in the design depending on the personal taste of the homeowner. However, in order to provide some authenticity, we would want to reproduce period-style cabinets and furniture so the kitchen reflects an overall feel of a typical period kitchen,” Hammes explains.
TRENDING IN BERKS COUNTY
Within Berks County, the process of period restoration is common, but not nearly as common as in neighboring counties. Hammes believes that although Berks County contains a treasure trove of great buildings, from the early farmhouses to when some really interesting, mid-20th century modern buildings built in the suburbs, the task of primitive restoration can be daunting, time consuming and costly. It takes a lot of interest and commitment from a homeowner to embark on a renovation project of any scope, but much more so to go after one with the intent of doing what’s right for the house.
A traditional historic house is meant to last. Red Oak Restorations can assure that it will age gracefully.
RED OAK RESTORATIONS, LLC | 12 FLEETWOOD RD. | FLEETWOOD | 610.682.4445 | REDOAKRESTORATIONS.COM
