Stephen B. Chambers Architects, Inc. Completes Historic Rehabilitation of Log Cabin ‘Dogtrot’ in East Texas

DALLAS – June 30, 2009 – Stephen B. Chambers Architects, Inc., an architectural firm that specializes in modern and traditional residential design, remodeling, and historic renovation, recently completed an historic rehabilitation of a pre-Civil War two-pen dogtrot log home near Tyler, Texas.

“The client’s primary goal for this restoration was to provide a guest cottage for the weekend farmhouse that Chambers recently completed for his client on the East Texas land that his been in their family since 1871.  The new farmhouse, when completed looked as though it could have been built by the clients’ ancestors when they acquired the property in 1871,” says Steve.  He drew from the distinctive architectural tradition of East Texas:  a simple, box-like structure with a gable roof; big front porch; galvanized steel roofing; sandstone exterior; and over-sized barn lights finish the rustic feeling.

With the new farmhouse completed, Steve turned his attention to the restoration of the original log cabin that the client’s great-great-grandfather built with his own hands when he moved to Texas in 1856. This vintage structure consists of two cabins (pens) separated by an open passageway (dog-run or dogtrot), with a continuous gable roof covering both cabins and the passageway between them.  The porch extends across the entire front of the house and, the passage between the two pens, was enclosed by screens.  A lean-to shed, was constructed at the rear of each cabin for a kitchen and bathroom. This type of shed was often an addition to these 19th century Texas log cabins.

Rounding out the firm’s portfolio of East Texas projects, Steve currently is currently working on an 1895 Folk Victorian home in Marshall, Texas, the restoration of an office building in Marshall, Texas, and the remodel of a home in Longview, Texas. Chambers Architects will collaborate with Volf Roitman, a renown MADI artist, to incorporate his sculpture into the exterior of the office building located in downtown Marshall, Texas.   Mr. Roitman has relocated his MADI sculpture from Dallas to Marshall, Texas for this project.

About Steve Chambers

Steve has been a licensed architect since 1975.  He is also a licensed interior designer. He has specialized in designing residences for over thirty-three years and has also built a number of homes himself.  He understands the process of residential design, from conceptualization through construction.  He recognizes that when he is designing for a client, he must listen to what the clients want and then collaborate with them to design a home that meets their needs and preferences. As a result of a detailed interview, developed over years of working with many clients, creative and livable designs emerge. His signature talent is the ability to generate a variety of creative solutions, realizing that really good design can be achieved in many styles.

Log Home General Contractor:  Byron Bottoms, Heritage Restorations

Interior Designer:  Mary Cates, ASID

More information about Steve Chambers, AIA

Residential architects Stephen B. Chambers, Inc.

Contact our Public Relations Director, Stephanie Chambers