Gilman Residence Lafayette, CA
There had been several prior proposals for this in-fill, flag lot in a rural suburban location. All had met with neighborhood opposition. The resulting house design for a family with children is a modest development with a small footprint, articulated facades and lowered plate heights at the second story. Details of the surrounding farmhouse-style houses were incorporated to result in a home which fits with its neighbors, yet is more modern in its interpretation of the Bay Regional housing vernacular.
The family desired rooms filled with light and rooms have windows on at least two exterior walls. Built-in window seats, bookcases, stereo cabinets and buffets provide storage for years to come. A guest room/office was built on the first floor so that the children could use the computer with easy access to parental help.
The second floor bedrooms provide views to the surrounding hills and also have built-in window seats and bookcases as integral design elements. The laundry's placement on the second floor bedroom minimizes the amount of laundry carried up and down the stairs.
Several future remodel projects (steam room, dormer for an office off the master bedroom) were planned: each project's framing or plumbing was installed to minimize future demolition work. The foundations of the garage were also designed to accommodate a second story addition.