Crafting Legacy: The Art of Renovation with Ross Design
I’ve been the Principal Architect at Ross Design for a long time now, and although it sounds cliché, no two projects are ever the same. That is exactly what keeps me inspired. I still see every renovation as a unique three-dimensional puzzle, waiting for just the right mix of creativity, experience, and problem-solving to bring it to life.
On one end of the spectrum, I love working on small-scale projects where even subtle changes can make a big impact. Relocating a doorway to improve flow, upgrading windows for better efficiency, or rethinking a kitchen layout for more functionality. These may seem modest on paper, but in daily life, they can completely transform how a space feels and works for the client.
At the other end, we take on comprehensive “down to the studs” renovations. These are the deep transformations: stripping a structure back to its framework, reimagining the flow and purpose of every space, adding new wings, second stories, or even a separate guest house or ADU. These are the projects where vision meets possibility in the most dramatic way.
No matter the scale, the heart of our work is transformation; not just of the physical space, but of the way people live and connect within it. One of my favorite client comments came after we completed a whole-home renovation. She smiled and said, “It feels like I moved without ever having to move at all.” That’s when I know the design has done its job.
While many in our industry prefer a “demo and rebuild” approach, I often find the greatest satisfaction in working within the constraints of an existing structure. This mindset is closely connected to something we’re passionate about at Ross Design - adaptive reuse.
Adaptive reuse is the process of taking an existing building and giving it a new purpose instead of tearing it down. Sometimes that means converting an old commercial building into residential lofts, turning a historic home into a modern office, or reimagining a church as a community center. The beauty of adaptive reuse is that it preserves the soul of a structure - the details, the history, and the craftsmanship - while making it functional and relevant for today. It’s also inherently sustainable, reducing waste and conserving resources by working with what’s already there.
I understand that most clients choose their homes for reasons beyond the walls, such as the neighborhood charm, the walkability, the schools, and the connection to community. Those are things worth keeping. These so-called constraints should really be seen as design prompts that spark innovation. In the best projects, it’s almost impossible to tell where the old ends and the new begins, and that’s exactly the point of why we do what we do!