harold house #2
This brand new house was designed for a couple with two children who already lived in the neighborhood and wanted to remain, but needed more space for their active lifestyle. The new house replaced an original bungalow that was in very poor condition and was deconstructed, with many parts of the original house diverted from landfill by donation. In a rapidly gentrifying area with many developer-built houses that ignore the scale and context of the neighborhood, Sherry Tseng Hill Architects approached the design of this house as an opportunity to demonstrate how a modern, appropriately sized house can be designed to both fit the neighborhood and fit the needs of modern family living.
Key techniques included a careful approach to massing the volume of the house so as not to overwhelm the adjacent bungalow, as well as including features such as a sizable front porch, which is characteristic of the existing homes in the neighborhood. The main house is 2,900 square feet and the project includes a 550 square foot garage activity area. The design features a large open public area with 10 foot ceilings that includes living, dining and kitchen. One of the owners is a chef, so the kitchen is large and prominently featured as part of the public area. The downstairs master bedroom suite includes access to an outdoor screened porch. Upstairs, there is a family activity area, 2 bedrooms and a large outdoor deck.
Key techniques included a careful approach to massing the volume of the house so as not to overwhelm the adjacent bungalow, as well as including features such as a sizable front porch, which is characteristic of the existing homes in the neighborhood. The main house is 2,900 square feet and the project includes a 550 square foot garage activity area. The design features a large open public area with 10 foot ceilings that includes living, dining and kitchen. One of the owners is a chef, so the kitchen is large and prominently featured as part of the public area. The downstairs master bedroom suite includes access to an outdoor screened porch. Upstairs, there is a family activity area, 2 bedrooms and a large outdoor deck.