MAK Design+Build

From a torn magazine ad for a Kohler soaking tub, a master suite addition was born. For these busy parents of two small children the dream of creating a private space to recharge in their small, ranch home was realized in this 475 square foot addition. As part of this utopian retreat the clients wanted to feel like they were part of their backyard gardens, particularly while soaking in their tub. The master bath then was situated at the end of the addition with windows on all exterior walls. A resin panel embedded with pressed hydrangea petals was installed as a partition at the water closet to further integrate the garden with the interior.

In addition to the image from the Kohler ad, the clients had also fallen in love with an image of a tub perched on a wood deck. In the client's mind this deck would lead directly to an open shower stall. This brought up concerns about the long-term stability of any wood decking under these damp conditions. The solution came in the use of a plank-style ceramic tile with a faux wood pattern installed right at the curb-height of the shower.

The desire for views and windows created a concern for feeling overexposed to the neighbors on both sides of the house. The problem was resolved by installing most of the windows to the south side that look directly to the backyard, installing transom windows on the west side and positioning the window looking east into the corner, out of direct sight lines to the neighbors there. A partition wall was built behind the bed in the master bedroom to hide the clothes storage, maintain a sense of spa-like simplicity, and providing further privacy from the nearest neighbors. The west wall of the addition was also built with 2x6's to allow for increased insulation to help dampen the sound of the neighbor's noisy hot tub.