What do you do when the house you've started building no longer feels like home?
Construction was already underway when the owners realized the house no longer reflected the way they wanted to live.
The challenge was to rethink the design without starting over—identifying what should remain, what needed to change, and how to transform an unfinished structure into the home they had originally envisioned.
The Challenge
Honor the investment already made while creating a home that truly reflects the owners' lifestyle, priorities, and long-term vision.
Transform a partially completed structure into a place that feels intentional, personal, and complete.
The Vision
Rather than beginning with a blank sheet of paper, the process began by listening.
Working closely with the owners, we evaluated every space to determine what should be preserved, what should be reimagined, and how thoughtful design could unlock the home's full potential.
The project continued through design, construction, and completion, ensuring that every decision supported the original vision the owners had hoped to achieve.
The Approach
What began as a source of frustration became a home designed around the people who will live there.
By embracing change instead of starting over, the project transformed an unfinished house into a place that feels cohesive, welcoming, and deeply personal.
More importantly, it demonstrates that great design isn't always about beginning from scratch—it's about recognizing new possibilities within what's already there.
The Impact
Location
Ruston, Louisiana
Project Status
Completed 2019
Firm
Studio Brooks + Emory
Principal Architect
Robert Brooks, AIA
My Role
Project Leadership • Programming • Design • Construction Administration
Contractor
Chris Moran Construction, Ruston, La
Collaborators
Henry McCoy - Architectural Photography Tiffany Baldwin Designs - Interior Design - FFE
Project Credits