Known since it was built in 1858 as the Thompson House, this historic Fairfax farmhouse was on the docket to be demolished in the early 2000s by the Virginia Department of Transportation to widen West Ox Road. A local family worked tirelessly to save the home, which was built before the Civil War and served a key role as a hospital after the Battle of Ox Hill, and was eventually able to purchase the home under the stipulation that it be moved to a new location. Amazingly, it was moved across West Ox Road in its entirety to its current location near Navy Elementary, and purchased by our MOSS customers several years ago, who were hoping to procure a historic home after moving to the area from New England.
Plans to expand and add to the home had long been the vision of our customers after their purchase and move. While the home had modern amenities and had been updated throughout, it lacked a larger space for family gatherings as well as a garage. Knowing their family would be adding to their multi-generational home also required more private rooms in the form of an in-law suite.
Working with our design team, it was determined to add a breezeway hearth room (with access to the back porch) from the home’s kitchen (which faced the side yard) which includes exposed beams and a large stone tiled fireplace. Connected to the hearth room, the three car garage was added to include a mud room, laundry room, and, an above garage private in-law suite complete with sitting areas, kitchenette, full bedroom, and full bathroom.
Throughout the design and construction process, the focus of the new addition was to maintain the integrity and design look and feel of the original structure in accordance with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and the Fairfax County Architectural Review Board while also providing a better use of land and space on the 1.5 acres.
