Homeowners in Traverse City's Central Neighborhood have long been accustomed to passersby stopping to admire their picturesque Victorian homes. But amid tidy rows of historically conforming houses, two abruptly unique dwellings have begun drawing attention for their non-conforming designs.

Gabe Sciannella and Aaron and Kerri Wosek are leading the charge of introducing modern residential architecture to their traditional downtown neighborhood. Their homes – located at 311 W. Ninth Street and 232 E. Tenth Street, respectively – are situated just outside Central Neighborhood's official historic district boundaries (which run from north of Fifth Street to south of Eighth Street), freeing them of the zoning restrictions that regulate construction within the district.

But in spite of the zoning freedom, the district's historic aesthetic still dominates surrounding streets, with few – if any – homeowners venturing beyond its norms. Aaron, a mechanical engineer at Nealis Engineering in Traverse City who's “always been interested in modern and contemporary design,” appreciates the historic sensibility but says many downtown homes – including his – simply weren't crafted “to be suitable for modern needs.”

“We changed the house to make it work for our family,” Aaron explains. The engineer and his wife took inspiration for the home's progressive look from industry bible Dwell magazine. The couple removed the roof from their house and added a second floor and 1,000 square-feet of living space, bringing the total square footage to 2,200. They also overhauled the home's wiring and insulation, installed a high-efficiency boiler and radiant floor heat, and engaged local woodworker Lucas Johnson to modernize the interior.

“People don't have to move out of town to have the space they need – they can stay and renovate instead,” according to Aaron.

The homeowner says he's received mixed reviews on the urban design from neighbors, but is frequently complimented by drivers and pedestrians passing through. “I view homes as being one of the ultimate displays of personality and taste. When people are allowed to put their own personal twist on their houses, they maintain and take more pride in them.”

Sciannella hired local architect Michael Fitzhugh to create a modern, flowing floor plan for his 1890s home on Ninth Street. He reconstructed the abode to showcase open living, dining and kitchen spaces with energy-efficient, in-floor radiant heat (the owner says his monthly heating bill has been cut to $80) and implemented Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) construction, metal and cement board siding, and new windows.

“Modern construction allows you to make old spaces like these much more livable,” says Sciannella. “I could have built something that looks like everything else (in the neighborhood), but it's 2014. Why make the house look and feel like it's in 1914?”

Sciennella and Aaron say they respect their neighborhood's historic charm and believe it is worth preserving, particularly along Sixth Street. But they also advocate for more design diversity in neighboring streets and other downtown sectors.

“People need to realize a lot of these homes aren't special just because they're 100 years old,” says Sciennella. “They were basically built out of scrapwood...they aren't high-quality or energy-efficient. In some cases, it's like trying to preserve a Pinto.” Adds Aaron: “You could add visual interest (to homes) and still keep the historical qualities. We should be creative with our neighborhoods, so they can serve a modern lifestyle.”

Fitzhugh, another proponent of design diversity, agrees. “The motivation behind design now as opposed to 120 years in the past is much different,” he says. “The design of new buildings should reflect uses of natural resources, the current way of living and the lives and health of future occupants.” While the architect acknowledges “not everyone likes something new when first experiencing it,” he hopes over time more modern construction will be accepted downtown.

“These buildings...reflect a current mode of thinking, living and building,” Fitzhugh says.