Modest,minimal,reductive,carving,folding,overlapping,merging,meshing,open.

Inspired by Shaker furniture and spatial carvings of Gordon Matta-Clark,
the Urban Barn transforms a 1910 Craftsman bungalow into a twenty-first century residence for contemplative living.

The original three-bedroom house was radically renovated to combine the main living level with the upper sleeping quarters by removing nearly all interior walls and ceilings to create a single fluid living space. A portion of the original living room was converted to an exterior deck and creates a strong indoor-outdoor relationship with the rear yard through large sliding doors. Similarly at the lower-level basement all walls were removed, and a new foundation was constructed to provide an open exercise and meditation studio. At all levels doors, windows and skylights are strategically placed to frame exterior views and allow for daylight to wash over the Origami-like roof and walls surfaces while recessed light coves provide warm light sources. A modest material palette of wide oak plank floors, painted gypsum board, frosted glass, stainless steel appliances, and painted cabinetry defer to and reinforce the overall spatial composition and connections.