In a rare opportunity, Studio Lyon Szot had the privilege to work on a home with the same width as a sailboat. The team was approached by the owners after a devastating laundry room fire left their kitchen destroyed and their 14’6″ wide house irreparably damaged by smoke. The challenge was clear: repair and reconfigure the existing house while expanding the second floor to accommodate a new walk-in closet, a work space for their children, an upstairs laundry room, and two additional bedrooms.

Exterior

Kitchen Courtyard

Entry Stair Screen

Moreover, the house presented a unique obstacle due to its remarkable thinness. However, nestled within the narrow confines was an extraordinary lightwell, which became a focal point in team’s design approach. By harnessing natural light, the architects were able to illuminate the kitchen and dining room while organizing a new bedroom and home office around this shaft. Additionally, they maximized every inch of space by cleverly locating new storage and a powder room under the existing stair.

Entry Stair and Millwork

View to kitchen and Court

Through careful planning and a keen eye for efficiency, the architects responded to the challenges of the existing conditions with an elegant and rejuvenating solution. The transformed home now stands as a testament to team’s commitment to creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces.

Photos by Alan Tansey