The McDonald Mansion's Exterior Transformation (Before/After)

BEFORE: Front Façade of Mableton, January 2006.

After the 1977 fire, the roof was resurfaced with faulty fiber cement shingles, and fitted with an overly tall plywood parapet that truncated the stepped pyramidal massing of the house. Other inappropriate modifications included an added circular window in the upper gable, poorly executed wooden trim details, and multiple skylights in the side verandah roofs. Red brick front steps with pipe railings had replaced the original wooden front steps, and railings (that once matched the cutout porch railing); and the curving, asphalt-surfaced driveway was the only paved pedestrian approach. Much of the original porch railing is obscured by oversized foundation plantings. The washed-out paint scheme, with ineffective trim accents against a light body color, diminishes the impact of the building’s imposing design.

Photograph: Rynerson O'Brien Architecture, Inc.

AFTER: Front Façade of Mableton, May 2012.

The reconstruction of the roof’s two-two tiered cresting, now set on a lower parapet, has restored the stepped massing and balanced proportions of the building’s original form. The fiber cement roofing has been replaced with courses of decoratively banded cedar shingles, the upper gable’s pierced bargeboard and windows have been recreated, and various inaccuracies in trim detailing have been corrected.  The verandah roof skylights have been removed, the front stairs and railings have been reconstructed close to their original appearance, and the reduced height of the foundation plantings allow for  greater visibility of Mableton’s signature cutout verandah railing. The subtle, variegated pattern of the new brick driveway surface continues around a seasonally changing flower bed, and into the newly-created central pedestrian walkway to the street. In the new period-inspired paint scheme, the house regains a more substantial character, the important details of the house are highlighted, and a gradation of three deeper body colors (distributed by level) effectively anchor the building to its surrounding landscape.

Photograph: George Shadow

BEFORE: View of Mableton (from the southeast), circa 2005.

This view illustrates how Mableton’s roofline had been altered from its original balanced appearance by the subsequent addition of asymmetrically placed dormers in the second floor roof, presumably for the purpose of providing light and ventilation to bathrooms added in the 20^th century. Original eyebrow dormers and vents in the second floor and porch roofs had also been lost, and haphazardly located chimneys and porch skylights contributed to an accumulation of piecemeal roof elements.  A staircase on the south side of the verandah, an important link to the spacious garden, was also missing. Mableton’s curving driveway, originally gravel, was surfaced with asphalt.

Photograph: Jack Leissring

AFTER: View of Mableton (from the southeast), May 2012.

In this view, the gracious connections between the house and its park-like garden  setting are apparent. The canopied verandah extension at left (an early addition) creates a pleasant outdoor room overlooking the grounds. Missing at the outset of the project, the restored side verandah staircase is visible to the left of the extension. One of two recreated chimneys is seen rising above the cresting. The previous irregularities in the forms and placement of various dormers, roof vents and wooden trim elements have been corrected. A harmonious and connective balance between hardscape, house, and grounds is enhanced by the muted color, pattern and traditional material of the new brick driveway.

Photograph: George Shadow

BEFORE: North Façade of Mableton, January 2006.

Mableton’s curving front driveway originally connected with a carriage house on the north side of the parcel.  When the carriage house was lost to a lot split, the driveway on the north side of the house became a parking court with no covered parking  The kitchen addition on the right side of the image, one of a trio of clumsy, ill-proportioned alterations to the rear of the house,  protruded into the parking court and was visible from the street.

Photograph: Rynerson O'Brien Architecture, Inc.

AFTER: North Façade of Mableton, May 2012.

The north side parking court was carefully regraded to provide access to a new 3-car garage under the house with improved headroom.  A north new service entrance with an accessible ramp and stairs provides a much needed ground-level connection convenient to arriving vehicles.  The old kitchen addition was removed and replaced with a new wing, subordinate to the original structure, that is much less visible from the street.

Photograph: George Shadow

BEFORE: Mableton's Verandah (southern section), January 2006.

The ceiling of Mableton’s south verandah was interrupted by a group of skylights added in the 20^th century. The original t&g floors of the verandah have been covered with a thick, gray waterproof membrane. To the left of the image can be the shutters that cover slip-head windows that function as both doors and windows: occupants can pass directly from the parlors to verandah, while generous air circulation enters the house through the shaded windows. 

Photograph: Rynerson O'Brien Architecture, Inc.

AFTER: Mableton's Verandah (eastern section), May 2012.

In this view of Mableton’s front verandah, the restored stairs of the entry can be seen at the right of the image, and the gray floor has been replaced with a natural hardwood floor, caulked like a ship’s deck, with a waterproof membrane underneath.  The shutters on the ten foot tall slip head windows on the left are open, revealing the lower sash that “slips” into the head above the upper sash, allowing occupants pass through under the meeting rail that separates the two sash.

Photograph: George Shadow

BEFORE: Roof Detail with Window Dormers, January 2006.

While many of Mableton’s signature roof details are present in this images, they lack emphasis because the cresting and other roof details have been lost. In addition the pale paint scheme makes the building seem insubstantial despite its impressive scale.

Photograph: Rynerson O'Brien Architecture, Inc.

AFTER: Roof Detail with Window Dormers and New Cresting, May 2012.

Mableton’s exuberant cresting adds weight and verticality to the roof and dormers.  Relocated chimneys with Eastlake detailing have been integrated into the roof composition, and new eyebrow dormers alternate with the house’s original taller dormers. Eyebrow vents have been restored to the porch roof, and both the porch and second floor roof have been reroofed with alternating patterned bands of cedar shingles. An Eastlake era palette of color has been applied to reinforce the substantial scale and delicate detail that characterizes Mableton’s design.

Photograph: George Shadow