For the Residential Infill Design and Construction of the Lynch Residence, 114 S. Cypress Street, Wendell
The Lynch Residence, completed in 2006, was one of the featured homes in the Wendell Historic Landmarks Tour, held on April 28, 2007. Many people entering the house on that tour were surprised to find it is a new home. To the passersby, the exterior of the house could easily have been one of the 1920s-era Craftsman bungalows prevalent in Wendell. This is the praise Margie and Bruce Lynch, as well as their architect and builder, 2SL Design Build, Inc. were hoping to receive when they embarked on this project. The client and architect strove to create a new home that would mimic an original Craftsman-style bungalow, yet provide a contemporary flow and use of space.
After living in the countryside south of Wendell for a number of years, Bruce and Margie decided they wanted to return to the town center close to Bruce’s new office on Main Street. They looked at several historic homes in the area, and decided to purchase a lot at 114 S. Cypress Street. The Lynches wished to build a Craftsman-style bungalow that would easily fit into the 1920s-era streetscape of South Cypress Street. They found their future architect and builder, 2SL Design Build at the Southern Ideal Home Show in Raleigh.
Margie and Bruce were committed to creating a home that would blend with the character of the neighborhood. The Lynches and 2SL Design Build collaborated to create a modern adaptation of a classic bungalow. The proportions and architectural details are true to the spirit of the American Craftsman bungalows. The attention to details used to create the home enabled the team to achieve their goal. Period-appropriate paint colors were used throughout the house. The house also displays exposed rafter tails and an original Craftsman-style front door reclaimed from a Habitat for Humanity reuse center. Half-round gutters also add a distinctive touch.
As visitors enter the home, they are met with an open, winding staircase. The beautiful craftsmanship of the staircase is evocative of the detailed woodworking typically seen in Craftsman homes. The circle pattern on the staircase was carried over to the trim details of the fireplace to create a space for a flat screen television. The hardware and lighting have an oiled bronze finish. The master bathroom has period-appropriate finishes, including black-and-white hexagonal tiles on the floor and white beaded board cabinetry. The bathroom design was inspired by the bathrooms at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, a large c. 1913 Craftsman-style hotel building. The careful planning and craftsmanship of their home exemplifies many original precepts espoused by the arts-and-crafts movement.
The Board of Directors of Capital Area Preservation is pleased to present a 2007 Anthemion Award to Bruce and Margie Lynch and 2SL Design Build for the Residential Infill Design and Construction of the Lynch Residence, 114 South Cypress Street, Wendell.