This 50’s California Modern situated on a spacious lot in an established neighborhood exhibited its original character with low-sloping roof forms, expansive windows, wood rafter beams and tongue & groove ceiling.
However, a previous renovation saw new interior walls, segregating the kitchen and dining room, disrupting the intended flow of the house. The original rear porch was enclosed with randomly placed sliding doors and domed skylights, housing what had become an abandoned hot tub. It was through this area one passed to access the new master bedroom and the large rear yard.
Our focus was to return the house to its “modern” roots while making it current and functional. One of the homeowners, a former chef, wanted the kitchen to be a place for her to exhibit her culinary talents and remain an integral part of the party or conversation. The center of the house was opened up and the main roof was extruded into the back yard creating a grand space that contained the interior and exterior gathering spaces and at the center was placed the kitchen. Large pocketing sliding glass doors allow circumnavigation of the kitchen and easy access to the pizza oven, and outdoor kitchen which backs up to its interior counterpart.
The central core was used as an organizing element separating the family’s bedrooms to the north wing and the utility spaces and guest suite to the south wing. It also provided a courtyard for all of these functions to gather and experience the expansive back yard.
Photography: Daniel O'Connor Photography
Interior Design: Mellin Interiors / Heidi Mellin
Construction: Old Greenwich Builders
Engineer: Malouff Engineering
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