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KONSTRUKCIO STUDIO | MARTA ROZANICH, RID, AIA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project is a remodel of an existing 1924 Arlington Heights Craftsman as well as a free standing casita in the back yard. The homeowners wanted to rework their home to work with their modern lifestyle, without losing the appeal and charm of the Craftsman design. There was also the added challenge of where they would live while their home was under construction.

Those discussions lead to a 2 phased approach to the project. The first phase was removing an existing garage that was unusable and not up to code. We replaced that with a free standing casita where the homeowners could live with their dogs while the main home was being remodeled. The 614 square foot freestanding home includes a front porch, exterior storage, and 461 square feet of living space. Through efficient and smart design, we were able to give them a kitchenette, dining area, TV area, bed and bath spaces with laundry and lots of storage. The clients wanted the casita to speak to the main home with craftsman style design on the exterior. The warmth of the wood vaulted ceilings, wood look tile floors, and the blue glass and Thassos marble back splash combine for a Hygge living inspired design on the interior.

Once the casita was finished and clients moved in, we focused on the remodel of the main home. The clients desired a gourmet kitchen and TV lounge space, large owner’s suite with a space for their Pyrenees dogs, separate vanities, free standing tub, and large closet. They did not want to resort to an open plan that is not true to the Craftsman origins of the home. A major design challenge was working around two awkward additions by previous owners, one of which is about 2’ above the owner’s bedroom with steps that took up valuable floor space.

The existing kitchen was woefully small for the clients, but a near perfect size for new laundry and walk in pantry. The new kitchen provides eat-in dining, has all of the modern appliances the couple desired, a coffee/wine bar that serves the adjacent dining room, and an intimate lounge space where the couple enjoys watching TV with storage for their extensive cookbook collection. We replaced the small exterior window with a large wall of glass and sliding doors that lead to the covered dining space.

A minor change was made to the entry of the owner’s suite. Instead of the door opening directly to the kitchen space, we carved out a small vestibule to provide some privacy and whimsical touches such as blue wallpaper. We removed a good portion of the large steps that lead to the addition to give more room for furniture in the bedroom. We had custom shelving built to provide a space for the dogs and their kennels that is semi-open to the bedroom. The couple and the dogs each have their own space, while not being completely closed off from each other. A large bathroom and walk in closet complete the design, giving the clients all of the modern amenities they desired, while staying true to the character of their original home.

For more details CLICK HERE to see this house in this months issue of 76107.

PROJECT SIZE

Main House: 3 beds, 2 baths, 1 living | 2,230 SF

Casita: 1 bed, 1 bath | 495 SF

COMPLETION DATE

2019

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS

Marta Rozanich, RA, RID, AIA

PROJECT CONSULTANTS

Interior Design: Konstrukcio Studio

Structural Engineer: HNH Engineering (Casita Project Only)

Lighting Designer: Gholson Electric