The GEODE creates a dramatic contrast in form, space, and organization from the existing 1950’s ranch house and the new main bedroom addition. The addition celebrates volume, height, and the contrast the vertical gives to the existing horizontal condition. The clients, a geologist and a graphic designer, requested an updated kitchen, a more open living space, and an additional main bedroom suite. Simultaneously, they requested the horizontal, dark, and low-slung existing space be opened. To create expansiveness, a bearing wall is replaced with a beam to allow for additional space for the renovated kitchen and main living area. The new opening also creates access and views to all of the public spaces and allows both existing and new glazed openings to cast their light deeper into the 50’s ranch. This light is cast even deeper with the use of a bright white material palate. The exterior presents a gradient shingle skin and a dark grey palate to create drama between the inside and the outside. To accentuate the drama between the interior, the addition is composed of faceted surfaces that bounce the light around relative to the dynamic interior of a geode. The existing renovated spaces are subdued, sunlit, and minimized to celebrate the owner’s extensive art collection.

What was the brief?

The brief was to renovate and expand the main living areas of a 1970's ranch house and add a main bedroom suite/bath/closets.

What were the key challenges?

As this was both a renovation and addition the challenges were two fold. First, as no renovation had occurred since the house was built, the unknown conditions are always a factor and we have to be prepared to make changes as demo discovers the actual conditions. Secondly we were asked to open up the space and make the low project feel much more open and compliment the new more roomy addition. This balance between low and high, new and old, dark and light, visible and invisible, is always a challenge.

What were the solutions?

As we were dealing with opposites for this project, we decided to use contrast to resolve the design. Instead of trying to force everything into a homogeneous language, we chose to celebrate differences and where we could accentuate them. We did this with spatial and material decisions while still providing the clients with a home that can celebrate their art collection.