Renovation of this 11,000 sq. ft. house on a tight suburban site involved transforming the building into a place which satisfied the client's desire to live in a "warmer" set of spaces.  This entailed modifying the existing interior and exterior in both form and finish. The stark, hard-edged qualities of the original design were toned and softened.  Exterior walls were opened admitting natural light to spaces, providing a greater sense of physical and psychological warmth.  Square punched windows in the major living spaces were replaced with walls of glass doors and windows.  The new openings connect rooms to the landscape in a direct way that removes the sense of isolation inherent in the original design.

Throughout the project, materials and details were added which infuse the building with a sense of craft and richness.  White exterior stucco was replaced with a warm golden tone.  The main entrance volume is clad in golden hued Minnesota limestone.  Porches and trellis are constructed of the same teak framing used for doors and windows.  New forms and materials work to relieve the sterility of the existing.  Every surface of the interior was reconsidered and treated with finishes and millwork to extend the notion of craft and detail.  An extensive collaboration between architects, landscape architects and interior designers produced a design that brings warmth and craft into the house while maintaining its contemporary qualities.