Outdoor dining area

Central to the success of this project is the seamless link between interior and exterior zones. The external zones free-flow off the interior to create a sophisticated yet secluded space to lounge, entertain and dine.

House Design - Chris Halliday Void Building Design Construction - SX Constructions Photos - Brock Beasley

Positioning the home as a conduit for family and togetherness, Gathering House is expanded to facilitate an open and engaging residential experience, melding both old and new within the one generous site. Taking references from the existing formal silhouette and materiality already in place, the focus became on extruding the original form while imbedding new principles of increased scale and openness throughout. Binding the interior to the larger landscape was also key, driving clear visual connections between inside and out and allowing the functions of the home to spill out into dedicated outdoor entertaining areas. The home celebrates coming together, dotted with moments of compression and release to align with varying levels of passive or active animation, retaining the familiar intimacy of home.

In a wooded area of Lafayette, a mid-century home was re-imagined for a graphic designer and kindergarten teacher couple and their three children. A major new design feature is a high ceiling great room that wraps from the front to the back yard, turning a corner at the kitchen and ending at the family room fireplace. This room was designed with a high flat roof to work in conjunction with existing roof forms to create a unified whole, and raise interior ceiling heights from eight to over ten feet. All new lighting and large floor to ceiling Fleetwood aluminum windows expand views of the trees beyond. The existing home was enlarged by 700 square feet with a small exterior addition enlarging the kitchen over an existing deck, and a larger amount by excavating out crawlspace at the garage level to create a new home office with full bath, and separate laundry utility room. The remodeled residence became 3,847 square feet in total area including the garage. Exterior curb appeal was improved with all new Fleetwood windows, stained wood siding and stucco. New steel railing and concrete steps lead up to the front entry. Front and rear yard new landscape design by Huettl Landscape Architecture dramatically alters the site. New planting was added at the front yard with landscape lighting and modern concrete pavers and the rear yard has multiple decks for family gatherings with the focal point a concrete conversation circle with central fire feature. Everything revolves around the corner kitchen, large windows to the backyard, quartz countertops and cabinetry in painted and walnut finishes. The homeowners enjoyed the process of selecting Heath Tile for the kitchen backsplash and white oval tiles at the family room fireplace. Black brick tiles by Fireclay were used on the living room hearth. The kitchen flows into the family room all with views to the beautifully landscaped yards. The primary suite has a built-in window seat with large windows overlooking the garden, walnut cabinetry in a skylit walk-in closet, and a large dramatic skylight bouncing light into the shower. The kid’s bath also has a skylight slot with light angling downward over double sinks. More colorful tile shows up in these spaces, as does a geometric patterned tile in the downstairs office bath shower. The large yard is taken full advantage of with concrete paved walkways, stairs and firepit circle. New retaining walls in the rear yard helped to add more level usable outdoor space, with wood slats to visually blend them into the overall design. The end result is a beautiful transformation of a mid-century home, that both captures the client’s personalities and elevates the house into the modern age.

Brian Parks

DMax photography, Liz Prater interior design and fit out. Swell Homes addition and renovation.

The residence received a full gut renovation to create a modern coastal retreat vacation home. This was achieved by using a neutral color pallet of sands and blues with organic accents juxtaposed with custom furniture’s clean lines and soft textures.

The black fence, black deck and black pergola establish unity for the space.

Gary Quigg Photography

Walpole Garden, Chiswick Photography by Caroline Mardon - www.carolinemardon.com

Scott Feuer