S^A | Schwartz and Architecture has sent us photos of a renovation and addition they completed for a mid-century modern home that was originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s protégé, Aaron Green and built by Echler Homes in 1966.
The architects challenge was to protect the design integrity of the home while adding a substantial amount of space to make the home viable for a young family with three children.
BEFORE
The home was virtually untouched by the original owners and is tucked back from the road on a flag lot surrounded by more traditional suburban homes.
Given the original’s spider-like sculptural roof and scuppers, the home was already a complete thought, with no obvious solution for adding to the composition, let alone double the interior square footage. Here’s a look at the home before the renovation and addition.
AFTER
The architects mentioned that their first design move was to head off the existing downward sloping roof beams mid-span and add a small rear addition along the entire length of the house under a new upward-sloping roof.
The existing carport and scupper was also too low for many modern family cars and no longer met local code for covered parking, so the architects raised the roofline and scupper at the front to create a new carport while also converting a portion of that area into a new sunken family room, consistent with the mid-century vibe of the original.
Landscaping surrounding the home helps to integrate it into its surroundings.
A new board-formed concrete wall was added to create space for a primary bedroom, while the clerestory windows add light, and balance the heaviness of the original roofline.
A paved path lined with plants leads to the front door.
Inside, the dark kitchen was updated while continuing the rhythm of the existing structure and creating a niche for hidden cove lighting where the original beams once ran. Throughout the interior, the custom furniture pieces were salvaged and integrated into the new design.
Chosen furniture pays homage to the original era of the home and follows the lines of the windows.
A built-in banquette dining area makes use of the corner, while the window in the kitchen fills the interior with light.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a sunken lounge and built-in bar.
A hallway leads from the social areas of the house to the more private areas, like the bedrooms and bathrooms.
In the new primary bedroom, the clerestory windows allow the light to stream into the space.
In a child’s bedroom, there’s doorway hidden in the form of a bookshelf.
Each of the bathrooms have a contemporary appearance with mid-century modern elements, as well as wood details, like in the vanities and window frames.
Photography: Ayla Christman Photography | Architecture & Interior Design: S^A | Schwartz and Architecture | S^A Team: Wyatt Arnold, Christopher Baile | Contractor: Marrone & Marrone | Structural Engineer: SWM & Associates | Lighting Design: Loisos & Ubbelohde | Landscape Design: Boxleaf Design | Interior Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel
