BAR approves addition at 125 South Pitt Street; board asks applicant to study slightly lower roof pitch

The Board of Architectural Review on Feb. 19 approved an addition and a partial demolition/encapsulation at 125 South Pitt Street, asking the project team to study a slightly lower roof pitch so the new section reads as subordinate to the original house.

Patrick Khamis of Studio Khamis represented homeowners John and Patty Petkosick and said he was prepared to answer questions and that he relied on the staff report. “I’m happy to answer a question. The staff report is great,” Khamis said. The proposed work would add a small extension on the house’s rear that matches materials and proportions while maintaining the property’s simple design language.

Board members generally praised the design and recommended one modest change: lower the peak of the addition’s gable by a small amount so the addition does not appear to replicate the original roofline. “It may end up looking like it’s original,” said a board member during deliberation, urging the team to slightly vary the ridge height so the addition reads as later and subordinate. The applicant said adjusting the roof pitch was a feasible refinement.

A motion to approve the application per staff recommendations, with the additional condition that the design team study a slight lowering of the ridge, passed on roll call with no recorded opposition. The board’s action incorporated the staff report; the applicant will return final drawings showing any change to the ridge prior to permit issuance.

Clarifying details noted during the hearing: the applicant said the addition’s roofline was originally shown to match the existing house but that a lower ridge was a minor design change the team could explore; no public comments were recorded on the item.

The board voted unanimously to approve the application with the small roofline modification request.