Holman House

A carefully-crafted modern whole-house remodel in an established, traditional neighborhood.

The existing light was poor, the interior layout was a disastrous warren, and NO square footage could be added.
PLUS, the HOA required the front facade be maintained as-is, if the homeowner wanted a non-contentious approval.

SBB Residential Design used these constraints, and mined them for opportunities.

--> the center of the house was terribly dark, and was broken up by a walled stair core. This stair was relocated to one side, freeing up the floorplan and physically connecting spaces and sightlines, making a handful of tiny, dark rooms into one flowing, breezy space.

--> where the two-story stairwell was, a great lightwell now delivers natural light to the heart of the home, and illuminates two levels for the price of one.

--> drama results from the 'treehouse' primary suite -- overlooking the action below, but with no clear views from the public Main Floor back up into the sunlit space above.

--> the front facade may have been off limits, but it was open season on the sides: Both sidewalls of the residence were largely removed and recast as floor-to-ceiling glazing, and a dramatic half-cantilevering open stair travels past the north window wall, on its way to the private primary suite above.

--> finally, an in-law unit was carved out of a previous rec-room and laundry space, giving the family a place for their relatives to stay when in town and, ultimately, to stay close as they age.

All of the above was wrought in clean modern lines, but purposely rendered in warm materials that would feel touchable and inviting balanced against sleeker metal and glass.