Baylor Street House
Photography by Patrick Wong & Whit Preston.
Office Project Team: Mell Lawrence, Robert Tobias, & John Castore
Contractor: J. Pinnelli, Co., Manager: Ed Gordon
Structural Engineer: Sparks Engineering, Inc.
Interiors: Abode- Fern Santini.
Landscape: Gardens
Retaining the historic character of this 1903 Victorian house while imbuing it with modern sensibilities was this project's primary challenge. The top floor witnessed the most significant transformation as an attic was converted into a Master Suite. A large skylight forms the ceiling of the bedroom bringing much needed light to the top floor. By removing a section of attic floor, the bedroom was subsequently connected to the library below sharing southern and eastern light.
On the first and second floors, much of the original house remains. The kitchen was improved to include new appliances, a fireplace, island and banquette while maintaining the original windows. Substantial modifications were made to the two-story back porch. Galvanized steel windows update the appearance and borrow scale and proportion cues from the house.
In addition to the renovation a new free-standing garage with apartment above was added to the property. Facing the alley, tall windows stretch across the apartment's southern wall. The garage's distinct form declares itself a new structure.