This rare example of a classic “one-room-wide” residence, designed before the advent of air conditioning, has been restored to its former character as a duplex apartment.
The upper level has been reimagined as a “Sunday House”—a weekend retreat for the new owner, a contractor known for his craftsmanship and restoration work on many homes throughout the neighborhood.
The challenge was to introduce additional indoor and separate outdoor living spaces without compromising the natural light and views of the narrow, L-shaped floor plan—all while working within a site densely covered by a heritage live oak mott. A new two-story glass living room tower was inserted into the inside corner of the L, energizing both levels by expanding the existing public and private spaces. This lantern-like structure creates a “treehouse” experience, offering views into the southern courtyard.
Together with a new three-car bay parking pavilion, the glass tower helps define the central ground-level courtyard. This courtyard seamlessly extends into the pavilion, creating a flexible outdoor entertaining space for the lower-level unit.
Above, a rooftop mirador offers the upper unit a private outdoor room complete with a BBQ kitchen and long views toward the downtown skyline. Two sculptural arched stucco staircases provide private entry to the upper unit. One of these stairs, a mirrored echo of the original, doubles as the end wall of the new parking and party pavilion. Its base houses storage and supports a bridge that leads to the upper residence, overlooking the courtyard below.
The project strikes a restrained yet dynamic and modern dialogue with the historic character of the neighborhood.
