Built in the 1850’s, the Lewis-Smith House is one of the last grand houses remaining from the collection of homes that once comprised an affluent neighborhood adjacent to downtown.  The fight to save, relocate and preserve the house became an early rallying cry for historic preservation in the city.  As the design was shepherded through the Raleigh Historic Development Commission’s public process the house was restored to original conditions, including restoration of the 1850’s exterior proportions, interior room layout, finishes, fireplaces and light fixtures.

The existing rear addition was removed and replaced with a new addition envisioned as a contemporary chapter in the history of the house. Board formed concrete foundation walls create a base for wood siding and large expanses of glass. Materials and proportions are controlled to be sympathetic to the historic pallet while creating juxtaposition. Handicapped parking was accommodated at the front facade by introducing structured porous pavement cells with gravel, one of the first applications in Raleigh, to meet accessibility requirements and maintain the historic character of the gravel drive.