KARR pad : apartment for a young bachelor

 KARR pad  : apartment for a young bachelor 
This basement apartment is located in the family home of the young owner, who wished to create his own “bachelor pad” separate from his parent’s row house above. He is an avid cook, and frequently holds dinner parties and entertains, so a large kitchen open to the rest of the space was a priority. 

In order to transform the dark low basement into a “singles” home, extensive digging and underpinning were required, resulting in 9’ ceilings. New windows and LED strips were added for additional light and atmosphere. The apt was divided longitudinally into two zones, one more fluid for cooking and lounging (kitchen and living); the other more formal, defined by green storage “cubes”  (entry, dining, and den ) 

Durable materials were selected for longevity, and include exposed and painted brick and steel, heated concrete floors, and viroc panels. Splashes of color (green and red) play against the mostly neutral black and white palette.

New Life in the Suburbs

CASA ABIERTA

The Owners are from Costa Rica. After the second meeting, their second child was born. At the third meeting, their house was filled with family and friends, a common occurrence in their home. The suburban box did not at all fit their lifestyle.  It was closed, dark, and divided into very small rooms.  They said that there was not one space in which they felt comfortable. They wanted a house of openness and light, where their children could be free to explore and play independently, still within view of their parents. The solution was to create a courtyard house, with large sliding glass doors to bring the inside out and outside in.  The existing house was completely opened up, and a cathedral ceiling created in the living room.  Programmatically, two new wings were added : kitchen/dining and master suite.  Ipe hardwood from the deck continues into the central space, creating warmth and texture at the heart of the house.