Palo Alto Residence
Palo Alto, CA

This project undertook the remodeling of an existing 1100 square foot house on a very narrow lot. Built in 1949, the original house was inexpensively built, with flat roof, exposed open beam ceilings, slab on grade, and no thermal insulation. Given local setback requirements, the total building width was limited to only eighteen feet. Although relatively small, the renovated house conveys a feeling of airiness and light with its high ceiling, exposed wood structure, and the diagonally opposing elements of winding wood staircase and corner bay window. The bay window wraps around the front corner of the house and is specially designed to open up the room to light, air and views.