This suburban residence was built on the existing foundation of a razed, one-story ranch style house. Designed as a home for a family of six, the owners requested a number of customized features, including a kosher kitchen. The residence needed its own architectural identity, in spite of the constraints of working with an existing foundation.

The exterior of the residence consists of large volumes of yellow brick, subdued with inset planes of windows and recessed planes of brick. On the rear elevation, horizontal cedar siding replaces the recessed brick and flows into a low-lying deck area.

Designed as a communal space, the first floor accommodates living and dining areas, as well as a kitchen, breakfast area, study and media room. Each room opens to the other, while it remains functional for its intended use. An L-shaped configuration of large windows at the front entry provides an articulated view from the living room to a park across the street, while radiating an abundance of natural light through the front hallway and stairway atrium. Large expanses of glass on the back elevation of the house visually open the rooms on both stories to a landscaped backyard.

The five bedrooms and laundry room on the second floor all have articulated views of the outdoors. A hallway that opens to the atrium stairway connects each room. Midway between the first and second floors, a children’s study opens to the atrium and views to the park across the street.