The Prairie Ranch Revival: Axis, Flow, & Stylistic Continuity

Project Narrative

Correcting the Flow: The Two Axes

The owners of this Mid-Century ranch approached David Stumpf Architecture with a functional crisis: the home lacked logic. The layout was cramped, the foyer doubled as a dining room, and there was no connection between the garage and the interior.

Our solution was a spatial "dissection." We established Two Intersecting Axes of Travel to guide movement through the home. This architectural intervention reorganized the chaotic floor plan into clear public and private zones, creating a subconscious sense of order that the original home never possessed.

The Addition: Creating a Sanctuary

To solve the lack of privacy, we executed a strategic addition. By removing an existing rear bedroom, we opened a corridor to a new Master Suite Wing. This dedicated extension provides the owners with a walk-in closet, an efficient ensuite bath, and direct access to the rear covered patio. The remnant of the removed bedroom was repurposed into a new central stair and formal dining area, opening the kitchen to the social core of the home and correcting the "basement living" habit of the previous layout.

Architectural Extrapolation

The goal was not just to add space, but to add character. We analyzed the home's remaining Prairie Style details and extrapolated them into the new interventions.

• The Front Porch: We introduced a deep, 8-foot front porch featuring wooden columns on brick pedestals. This element provides privacy and shade while anchoring the home’s curb appeal in the Prairie tradition.

• The Connected Foyer: The entryway was reconfigured to function as a true foyer—connecting the garage to the house for the first time and reclaiming the living room from being a glorified hallway.