Los Altos Contemporary Ranch Remodel/Addition V
Unusually shaped lots often yield our favorite designs. This Los Altos remodel+addition shows why.
Our clients came to us with an older ranch home on wedge-shaped lot with a curved front property line. Their design brief called for higher ceilings and a more open floor plan, while retaining the existing 2 car garage.
In studying the site, we realized that the long curved frontage would create an interesting perspective for both pedestrians and motorists , with the house seemingly on a 10,000 s.f. turntable as the viewer passes by. By building the house forward towards the street, we were able to provide the owners the additional square footage they needed, while providing the public with a design whose corner windows and roof forms make for a more compelling streetscape–while still blending seamlessly with the older ranch-style context.
Horizontal banding connects the various volumes and window openings, and leads the eye across the front elevation.
The exterior palette is mostly smooth stucco, with painted and stained wood accents and splash of cultured stone. Studio S Squared also designed the landscape low walls and entry pathway.
The interior features a calming palette of grays and neutrals. Vaulted ceilings provide both a sense of airiness and taller walls of glass, especially in the public areas of the house.
- Scope of Work: Remodel of and addition to an existing 3BR 2BA single-family residence with 1,848,7 existing living s.f. on a 10,703 s.f. lot. A 523.3 s.f. addition of new living area, 322.2 s.f. of existing porch area converted to new living area, and 31.9 s.f. of existing living area to be demolished will result in a 4BR and 3.5BA residence with 2,662.2 living s.f. with an (E) garage of 479.1 s.f. to remain, totaling 3,141.3 s.f.
- Project Year: 2016
- Project Cost: $1,000,001 – $1,500,000
- Location: Los Altos, CA
Photography by Mark Pinkerton, VI360 Photography
