From an Enclosed Structure to an Open Space
As architects, we believe that most properties harbor hidden potential waiting to be revealed, and this residential project exemplifies this perfectly. The transformation began with the comprehensive renovation of an aging, U-shaped house built around a central patio with a swimming pool. Although the original structure featured a fine interior volume, partially illuminated by an impressive skylight, the overall atmosphere felt gloomy, enclosed, and entirely disconnected from its natural surroundings. Our architectural intervention focused on a massive opening of the home's facades, introducing expansive windows to seamlessly merge the indoors with the outdoors and create complete visual transparency. Transitioning to a fluid, open-space layout was precisely tailored to the modern lifestyle, accompanied by a meticulous interior design strategy that breathed new life and abundant natural light into every corner of the home.
Smart and Accessible Design
At the core of our design approach is an unwavering commitment to user experience and everyday ergonomic comfort. For the homeowners, we created a primary living space that operates entirely on a single, highly accessible and spacious main level, allowing for effortless daily routines. Simultaneously, the home was carefully planned to accommodate an extended family and their evolving needs over the years. The lower level was efficiently optimized to include a garage, a quiet home office, and a private residential unit for an adult son. At the slightly elevated rear of the property, we positioned luxurious guest suites with a direct, harmonious connection to the backyard. These suites serve the adult children when they visit with their own families, granting them complete privacy alongside a natural connection to the communal family life revolving around the central patio and pool.
The Ultimate Hospitality Experience
Because this is a family that loves to entertain around the clock, we placed the hospitality experience at the very center of the design narrative. The kitchen is positioned at the heart of the open space, featuring a wide cooking and prep island that faces directly toward the living area. This layout allows the hosts to prepare meals while maintaining eye contact and lively conversation with their guests. Adjacent to the kitchen, we anchored the space with an exceptionally large dining table designed for multi-participant feasts. The spatial flow allows for the accommodation of many people simultaneously, both indoors and outdoors on the expansive wooden deck surrounding the swimming pool. Every weekend, the pool area becomes a vibrant magnet for friends and family, exuding an atmosphere reminiscent of a luxury resort.
Art, Materials, and Custom Lighting
The rich aesthetic of this home stems from meticulous attention to bespoke details. To create an intelligent separation between the entrance foyer and the main living room, we designed an impressive library partition crafted from iron and wood. This piece incorporates subtle touches of color and an integrated television, all while maintaining transparency and airiness. We also dedicated precise architectural niches and walls to proudly display the homeowners' personal collection of decorative artifacts gathered from their global travels. Another standout element is a custom-designed liquor bar and wine storage unit, crafted from striking black sheet metal and elegantly situated near the dining area.The lighting layout was carefully curated for each zone, but the fixture above the dining table was especially challenging: The asymmetrical sloped ceiling, dynamically interrupted by the skylight, demanded a highly creative solution. The selected lighting fixture integrates so naturally, that if it did not exist, we would have had to invent it to answer this spatial challenge… To complete the harmonious look, we designed the dining table's legs in a delicate wireframe structure that directly echoes the artistic tangle of cables from the light fixture above, showcasing our commitment to holistic architectural design.
