The renovation of this two story residence with raised basement was undertaken to suit the needs of a new family and their nanny. Architectural interventions included widening openings on the first floor to increase flow between spaces from the front of the house to the rear, adjustments to the second floor in the master suite and to accommodate a nursery, and incorporation of lighting and decorative elements throughout. The basement contains an apartment for the family’s nanny, as well as a home office, storage and utility area: The apartment was slightly reconfigured and the outdated kitchen was updated; the utility area was updated and built out to suit the family’s needs. Finishes are clean and luxurious to suite the artistic and stylist tastes of the owner.

To give this traditional home a bit of an edge, studioWTA worked with the owner to design decorative surface treatments for both the front and rear facades. Once designed, exterior grade mdf board was CNC-routed, sanded, and installed on the existing stucco in various locations, including at the front gable where griffins flank the attic vent.

In the rear yard, a new pool is installed with a knife-edge and tanning shelf. Ipé wood is the dominant material; it’s utilized for pool and porch decking, as well as porch railing, the property line fence, and as a new cladding on the existing, free standing garage. The porch off of the kitchen allows for outdoor cooking and dining overlooking the yard, which also features a pocket-type green wall system as well as a cable system for a more deliberate vertical garden application.