The original house was an old nondescript  one-story ranch style home with a rear pool. The views were greatly obscured by a house directly behind it. The owner wanted to add a master suite above the garage to enjoy the views, raise the ceilings on the lower level, and create a mid-century modern inspired home, while staying within the existing building footprint.

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We took inspiration from the "Prairie Style" of Frank Lloyd Wright, using strong horizontal lines and generous overhangs. A tall entry element helps make the transition from two to one story, and a garden wall at the front anchors the architecture by providing a low horizontal element and a small private courtyard. The new upper addition was pushed away from the street to mitigate verticality.

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The area is very view sensitive, and pains were taken to to accommodate views of neighbors across the street. The upper addition was kept small and low, and only over the garage in order to allow the remaining two-thirds of the house to be one story, with a flat roof.

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