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Project posted by Jay Reinert

Jack and Jim's House

View 27 Photos
Location
Barclay-Kingston, Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Modern
The original Mid-Century Modern ranch home with the pitched roof and two story addition as Jack Williamson had it constructed. It was interesting to see that Jack had originally intended the home to be clad with a vertical channel cedar siding instead of the horizontal beveled cedar as seen here. This was clearly indicated on this construction documents. Cost may have played a factor in the substitution.
The original Mid-Century Modern ranch home with the pitched roof and two story addition as Jack Williamson had it constructed. It was interesting to see that Jack had originally intended the home to be clad with a vertical channel cedar siding instead of the horizontal beveled cedar as seen here. This was clearly indicated on this construction documents. Cost may have played a factor in the substitution.
The existing conditions before the addition and alterations project got underway. Notice that there is no garage at this time. Jack never had a garage constructed while he was alive, but he did indicate where it should go on one of his initial schematic design schemes for the overall property.
The existing conditions before the addition and alterations project got underway. Notice that there is no garage at this time. Jack never had a garage constructed while he was alive, but he did indicate where it should go on one of his initial schematic design schemes for the overall property.
Completed renovation with the addition of the garage.
Completed renovation with the addition of the garage.
A detail of Jack's addition massing that Jim felt gave the home it's "Texas-ness", and the character we wanted to emphasize.
A detail of Jack's addition massing that Jim felt gave the home it's "Texas-ness", and the character we wanted to emphasize.
The original Mid-Century Modern ranch home with the pitched roof and two story addition as Jack Williamson had designed it. Notice the curved window wall and exposed steel column on the first floor of the addition.
The original Mid-Century Modern ranch home with the pitched roof and two story addition as Jack Williamson had designed it. Notice the curved window wall and exposed steel column on the first floor of the addition.
New deck and 2nd floor balcony off the bridge element.
New deck and 2nd floor balcony off the bridge element.
New articulated second floor addition and balcony blends seamlessly with Jack's original design intent.
New articulated second floor addition and balcony blends seamlessly with Jack's original design intent.
Family room space as Jack designed it with curved window wall and exposed steel post. Renovated.
Family room space as Jack designed it with curved window wall and exposed steel post. Renovated.
Axis of view through the interior space creating connection.
Axis of view through the interior space creating connection.
Family room space as Jack designed it with window wall and sky lit bay. Renovated
Family room space as Jack designed it with window wall and sky lit bay. Renovated

7 more photos

Details

Bedrooms
4

Credits

Posted by
Architect
Interior Design
Jim Hewitt - Owner
Landscape Design
Jim Hewitt - Owner
Builder
Legnola Builders
Photographer
Joe DiDario Photography, llc.

From Jay Reinert

Mid-Century Modern homes began to take root in the prestigious Hunt Tract section of Cherry Hill, NJ in the early 1950's, and some of those by notable Architects like Malcolm Wells and Louis Kahn. This home (Architect unknown) was originally designed and constructed as a sprawling flat roofed ranch-style home on a beautiful wooded lot, in the early 50’s I believe. At some point in the 70’s, the home was purchased by
Architect Jack Williamson and his wife in which to raise their family. Jack hailed from Houston Texas, received his graduate degree from Yale, now they were settling in South Jersey.

Thankfully as Jack's family grew, so did his reputation as a gifted Architect in the Philadelphia and South Jersey Area. During economic upswings, Jack used his profits to fix-up the house, first modifying the flat roof to stop leaks, and later for a substantial expansion including a two-story addition and living area renovations.

During the great recession, Jack often talked of selling the property to a developer as a tear-down. He believed that it would be much to costly to renovate the home in a way that would make it attractive for a young couple raising a your family.

Jack and his wife lived in the home until their passing 2014 and 2015 respectively. After their passing Dr. James Hewitt, a former client of Jack’s who became a close family friend, offered to purchase the home with the best intentions.

I found out what those intentions were when Jim Hewitt, who I had never met, called and ask if I’d be interested in working with him to untangle the messy existing conditions, discover it’s logic, and pull the house together in a way that would really make it sing. After pointing out that even Jack thought it really was nothing more than a tear-down, Jim said, I don’t want to see it demolished. I want to buy it, and with your help make it relevant and beautiful. Then after it’s complete, I want to have a cocktail party in Jack’s honor. After that, I’ll put it up for sale for a young family to enjoy.”
So that’s the story of Jack’s then Jim’s house; the design is all secondary really.