long house

The composition of black elements recalls the rational structure of Yasuhiro Ishimoto's Katsura Imperial Villa. The use of raw materials, such as the soft grey palette of slate porcelain tiles and Viroc, is reminiscent of the Japanese Mono-ha art style, which contrasts industrial and natural elements. The flexible spaces, doors opening and closing, can be traced to our preoccupation with the house Wittgenstein designed for his sister.

The original stone mantel from the former fireplace in the extension was reused. Heart pine floors were surplussed from another architect's project in Carroll Gardens. That magic pantry is lit with adjustable white LED lighting.

The angled white form is the mass of the stair ascending to the unit above. The stair and party wall are wrapped in mass loaded vinyl for sound dampening.

The blackened steel folded plate stair is part of the palette of industrial materials. Contrasted with a section of exposed rubble foundation wall. The cellar is exposed, honed concrete.

The kitchen is tucked along the party wall to allow flexibility for the main floor. In-floor power points were placed to allow for the ground floor to be used for a professional office.

An insert corner window unifies the front and back. It blurs the spatial boundaries between inside and outside. A future raised deck on pedestals is planned as a continuation of the tile floor.

Wild strawberries, spring tulips, and black-eyed susans thrive in the small pollinator garden.

A high skylight above provides soft daylight and a view of the sky from the tub.

A combined shower and tub sits in an opening in the floor, formerly occupied by a former stair to the cellar. A beam of southern light streams in from the glass sliding door to the slot garden. Tub is shown partially filled.

The bedroom has views to the neighbor's bamboo grove and a small private outdoor sitting area.

A pair of pivot doors allow varying forms of privacy. When the west door is closed the bedroom has ensuite access to the bathroom. When the west door is open and the east door is closed, guests have access to the bathroom.

A large picture window and the front door are separated by a black frame that projects. Under a walnut bench, there is a place for fresh air to come in below. Above, is an open shelf and coat hooks.

The front deck was rebuilt and the porch restored. New glazing provides connection to the outside.