Site: Craftsman subdivision
The pentagonal lot created practical difficulties we overcame by adding on at a 45-degree angle.

Design Objectives: Tweak the language of the house for a large addition that fits in with the original
The owners wanted a contemporary open feel to the house, but also like the house's original Craftsman style. Our project emphasized both aspects to blend the new with the old without slavishly copying.

Solution: Upgrade and expand - but keep the original flair
More light up high: Mostly hidden from the street, facing the back yard, we put up dormer windows that make the medium-to-small bedrooms feel much bigger. The light up high makes the ceilings float without giving up the language of the original gable roof. This move allowed the owners to stay on budget and blend the newer feel with the existing Craftsman house.

Window panes: We opened up the existing living room with a bigger door, replaced almost every existing window, and also added on rooms with lots of openings. To keep to the hand-made look and feel of the house, we used windows with many panes, and stuck to the original casings and trims. Simple and handsome.

Better flow : Opening the existing living room to the new addition (through what was once the master closet) transformed this house. The addition became integral with the original house, not just an after-thought. Keeping the same wall, floor, and trim materials from existing to new spaces makes this house feel like it was always this way.

Contractor
Sunset Construction (contact Bill Davis): 650.799.0911

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