Creating a comfortable primary suite in an existing home often requires more than simply adding square footage. It takes thoughtful planning, creative problem-solving, and a careful understanding of how a new addition will work with the home's existing structure. For these Green Oaks homeowners, the goal was to create a private primary retreat with the comfort and functionality they were missing while also improving the way their home worked as a whole. The BDS team developed a solution that transformed the home's layout, expanded its usable space, and created a seamless connection between the original home and the new addition.
The existing tri-level home presented an immediate challenge. The primary bedroom was located on the first floor directly off the front entry, offering little privacy and no adjacent bathroom. The homeowners initially considered building a new level above the existing garage; however, an investigation into the home's structure revealed that the garage and foundation would require significant reinforcement to support another story. Rather than pursue an extensive structural overhaul, the BDS team explored alternative ways to achieve the homeowners' goals. The new solution was to relocate the addition to the opposite side of the home, which allowed the team to create a new second-floor primary suite while simultaneously adding valuable first-floor living space below it.
The first floor of the addition was designed as a spacious, open exercise and studio area. With direct access to the exterior, the space provides flexibility for workouts, hobbies, creative activities, and other everyday uses. The open layout allows the homeowners to use the room in multiple ways while maintaining a connection to the outdoors. Because the addition expanded the home's conditioned space and increased its heating and domestic water demands, the mechanical systems needed to be carefully considered as part of the project. A new condensing boiler was installed to support additional hydronic heating units, the heated concrete studio floor, and the home's water needs.
The second floor of the addition is dedicated entirely to the homeowners' new primary suite. The spacious bedroom provides the privacy the original first-floor location lacked, while vaulted ceilings give the room an open and elevated feel. A fireplace creates a comfortable focal point, helping transform the bedroom into a relaxing retreat. The suite also includes generous walk-in closets and convenient laundry, eliminating the need to travel elsewhere in the home for everyday tasks. Every element was designed around comfort, convenience, and creating a true sense of separation from the rest of the home. The new primary bathroom brings together functionality and a spa comfort. A large double vanity provides plenty of counter space, while extensive cabinetry delivers much-needed storage. The bathroom also includes a dedicated water closet and laundry units, making the primary suite exceptionally convenient. At the center of the space is a spacious shower that completes the luxurious retreat and gives the homeowners a comfortable place to unwind at the end of the day.
While the new primary suite was the centerpiece of the project, the BDS team also looked for opportunities to improve the existing home. The living room was opened up by reclaiming space from the former stair hall. This relatively strategic change improved circulation and created a more open connection between spaces. The exterior of the home also received a significant update. New siding, replacement windows, and a new front door refreshed the home's appearance while complementing the new addition. These improvements helped ensure that the addition didn't feel like an afterthought. Instead, the entire home was brought together with a cohesive design.
This Green Oaks project demonstrates how thoughtful design can overcome structural limitations and create a solution that works better for the entire home. Rather than forcing the original plan to build over the garage, the BDS team explored the existing home's structure and developed an alternative that provided even more benefits. The result is a spacious new primary suite upstairs, a versatile exercise and studio space below, improved living room flow, upgraded exterior finishes, and mechanical systems capable of supporting the home's expanded needs. Most importantly, the homeowners gained something they were missing from the original home: a private, comfortable primary retreat designed specifically around the way they live. At BDS, we believe the best additions don't simply add square footage—they improve the way a home functions for the people who live there.