A home for the next generation. The goal of this renovation was to convert a
1940’s-era brick colonial home originally owned by the owner’s grandparents,
into a 21-st century home for a young couple starting out. Previously small, compartmentalized rooms are
transformed by removing specific sections and slices of wall resulting in a new
adaptation of the modest floor plate.
The removal of the non-load bearing wall separating the kitchen and
dining area provided necessary connectivity and use of borrowed space. The center load bearing wall to the adjacent
living room, encumbered with structure and hvac, provided more of a
challenge. Targeted subtraction of this
wall married with the consolidation of specific vertical functions
(refrigerator, ovens, and pantry) produces a composed array of ‘columns.’ These
columns provide definition of programmed zones while simultaneously allowing
spatial flow and visual continuity. All
surfaces of the ‘columns’ contribute to adjacent space as kitchen side
appliances and storage are wrapped with aluminum laminated panels, changing
throughout the day as they reflect the morning and afternoon sun into the north
facing living room. On the reverse side
(living room facing), the surface of the columns evolves once again to host a
series of horizontal picture rails, up-lighting and small recesses for the
remote controls. Juxtaposed against the
vertical columns, the continuous horizontal counter and cabinetry splices
kitchen and dining area with an affordable and durable bamboo butcher block
with ample room for side by side cooking.
The surprise of the kitchen’s pine (sub) floor, discovered during
demolition, illuminated the solution of using a bright floor stain to
contribute to the visual continuity of the entire surface while still
highlighting the different grains of wood.