This project began with a modest scope of work and decisions about initial design ideas, that were mostly cost-driven. Quantity and quality of new addition and remodel areas were mainly tailored for a fixed budget amount, however as soon as permit drawings were finished and a building permit was obtained the quality and even quantity of works were reevaluated by the owner and scope of work adjusted via change orders. (The nature of the project and work involved were reevaluated)
The project started as a simple renovation with a limited budget and some basic design choices. The main goal was to add a new master bedroom on the lower floor and remodel the kitchen and living room on the upper floor. However, after getting the permit, the owner decided to change the scope of work and improve the quality and quantity of the spaces. The project became more complex and involved rethinking the existing layout and functionality of the basement and other areas.
The owner wanted to have a bigger and more private master bedroom with a master bath and closet, since their children were grown up and needed more space and privacy in their own rooms. The old master bedroom was given to one of the children, and the new one was built on the lower floor, away from the children’s rooms. The kitchen was updated and opened up to the living room, creating a more spacious and bright living area. The basement was also redesigned to make better use of the available space and create more comfortable and efficient rooms. The old office space was divided into a smaller office with a sliding French door that led to an outdoor patio, and a laundry room with a washer, dryer, sink, and cabinet. The unused crawl space under the stairs was turned into a storage closet for the office. The remaining space from the old office and other areas was used to create a new hallway, a master bath, and a master closet for the new master bedroom.
The project began with a 200 sq. ft. master bedroom extension on the lower level, as the owners wanted more space and privacy for their grown-up children. They gave up their old master bedroom to one of their kids and built a new one with a master bathroom and a walk-in closet on the lower level, away from the kids’ rooms. The other initial modifications were minor, such as renovating the kitchen and opening up the wall between the kitchen and the living room to create a more spacious and bright living area. However, we later reexamined the basement’s layout and efficiency and made some major changes to improve its functionality and comfort. We divided the large but impractical office space into smaller and more practical spaces with a sliding French door that leads to an outdoor patio. We also turned the crawl space under the stairs into a storage/closet for the new office. We relocated the laundry area to a closed space with a washer, dryer, cabinet, and sink, with direct access to the side yard. We used the remaining unused and unplanned space on the lower level, along with some of the old office space, to create a new hallway, a master bathroom, and a walk-in closet for the new master bedroom extension on the lower level.
The existing lower floor of the house was extended to accommodate a new master bedroom at the back wall. The new bedroom was connected to the rest of the house by a corridor that led to the redesigned master bath, master closet, and hallway. The roof of the new extension served as a roof deck for the living room on the upper floor, which had a 12 feet glass-folding door that opened up to the outdoor space. This created a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor living areas, which was lacking in the original house.
The roof deck and the glass door also inspired us to create a dining space with transparent walls and panoramic views. This space, which we called sunroom, was like a window to the ever-changing scenery outside. It also helped to unify the living room, kitchen, and dining area as a cohesive whole.
The owners were actively involved in the design and construction process, which allowed us to propose innovative and bold ideas that transformed the house from a modest functional building to a dynamic and coherent living space.