Upton Street

The previous layout of the main floor of this split level house separated each space from the other, resulting in a design which did not take advantage of either the existing space or potential views. Our response was to modulate the degree of openness between the rooms and spaces using architectural elements. At the entry, an open, lattice-like divider replaces a full-height wall, physically and visually expanding the foyer. In the kitchen, strategically placed partial-height cabinets supplant full-height walls between the living room and kitchen and act as a visual barrier between the two, allowing the kitchen to become a destination rather than a corridor. Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room provides for better interaction between host and guest while a series of south-facing skylights over a new island help to blur the line between the interior and exterior.