Interior renovation of an existing residence that was original built as a mixed use building in the city’s west end. The main level commercial space had long since been converted to a full residence with extensive alterations to the interior and facade that covered up most of the original charm of the building. The design process involved an extensive discovery phase that allowed us to explore the original qualities of the structure.

The pre design discovery fueled a design approach, which focused on uncovering and celebrating the buildings innate qualities. Re-establishing the original storefront was one of the primary goals and facilitated the inclusion of large windows and a glazed entry door for a modern take on a traditional storefront configuration. The extensive glazing on the front facade allowed for the transmission of an abundance of natural light into the home and worked to reconnect the interior with the street. The discovery of exposed brick side walls lead to an interior design approach that placed emphasis on the use of natural materials with, wood, concrete, and brick aiming to create an honest design grammar that allows for a rich haptic connection between the materials and the home’s inhabitants. The massive kitchen counter top is made of a combination of concrete and Corian, with the cabinet faces matching the wood floor to create an uncluttered seamless look to the space. Floor joists above the main floor where uncovered and painted white to create a lofted aesthetic, which enhances the feeling of height and openness throughout the home.

The spatial planning focuses on opening the entire main floor up to expansive site lines, while creating three functional zones with varying degrees of privacy. Intimate spaces such as the kitchen and living areas are clustered in the rear, while a more exposed dining area, with a large multi-purpose table for working and entertaining is located at the front behind the expansive storefront window. The stair core becomes the central focus of the space, where a CNC cut screen and vertical balustrade are employed to create a layered separation that filters light and views between the two zones on the main floor. The existing wood floor on the second floor was refinished and updated with modern trim work. Planning and some minor modifications where also made to allow for a future third floor addition and skylight to be added with very little impact to existing works.