Architects at Home: Kevin Stephenson

“In 2006, my wife Trish and I found ourselves searching for a new house. At that time, like now, there seemed to be few options available. We had spent the previous 5 years personally renovating and selling two homes and were looking for a new project.”

“I loved the 1930’s international style houses that I would see occasionally around the Bonnie Brae and Hilltop neighborhoods. When this house came on the market, we were one of the first to walk it.”

“We had just had our second child the year before, and I was looking for a house that we could make into a real ‘home’ – not just an investment. I was also ready for a bigger project that included adding new square footage. When I walked the 1,650 square-foot two bedroom house, I didn’t immediately see its potential and so we left disappointed.”

“After an exhaustive search around the city for the next 3 months, we decided to go back and revisit this house to give it one more look. During our second visit, I noticed that while the house appeared to be tightly fit to its lot, the heavily overgrown north side was actually set back much further from the lot than it seemed.”

“I immediately started measuring the house and testing ideas where new square footage was wrapped around the side and back of the house rather than going up. We ended up doubling the size, while preserving a back yard and maintaining its humble scale from the street.”

“It was paramount to me to preserve the look and scale of the original house and to integrate any new walls in such a way that it would not immediately reveal the transformation.”

“I found a recycled brick that matched the over-scaled size of the existing brick and had the mason match the minimal but unique detailing along the parapet walls.”

“I also made sure some of the subtle curved walls in the original design found their way into the new work to help meld the old and new.”

“The project was exhausting both mentally and physically, and I would find myself taking on all the jobs. In the end, we did most of the demolition, all the steel window, stair fabrication, concrete countertops, tile, cabinetry, and most of the finish work throughout.”

“Being a designer and a maker, I have always found it easy to change my mind, go out to the shop for a few nights, and come back in with something new.”

“Right now, I am trying out ideas for outdoor furniture using only steel rods as the frame material. I am inspired by Platner & Bertoia to name a few. I like the idea of using the simplest material to create something unique and beautiful, and the best way I find to understand any material is to get my hands dirty and work with it.”

“In the 10+ years we have been in the house, it has never ceased to be a work in progress. Even with a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve when we started the renovation and addition, I never considered or even comprehended how much my tastes would evolve, and how my family’s needs would grow and change over time.”

“What I am most proud of is not any one detail or design, but that it has lived well and is the place my family truly identifies as ‘home.’”