MAK Design+Build

This 1990’s home was originally built to display an array of “custom” features--double staircases, tricked out ceiling levels, shaped counters and “hidden” electrical outlets. This custom home was built with tract home approaches to design and craftsmanship. The result was a visually cluttered and difficult to navigate space that was in urgent need of higher quality craftsmanship. The island cabinets were moldy below the sink, vinyl windows had broken seals and the granite tile was poorly installed. In addition to eliminating the strange “custom features” and pinched pathways, the new owners wanted to enlarge the living space and kitchen. It was time to replace the clutter of curves and corners with an open floor plan, better flow, new finishes and, of course, extra deep cabinet to house an commercial grade “Super” blender/juicer.

Expand the footprint by incorporating existing roofline covered patio space into conditioned, living space. To make this happen, structural support for a second-story, curved wall had to be provided without any visible support at the downstairs space.
- An array of parallams attached to a 20’ steel beam sandwiched between two additional 4x10 parallams replaced the ground-level curved wall.
Make all modifications to load bearing wall without causing damage to any finishes in the master suite and tile floors above..

Interim framing and joists constructed to support second-story throughout the extraction of existing structure, and also erection of new steel..
Relocated exterior wall attic access to second story to allow for addition.

Removed dropped ceilings but retain overhead vacuum, plumbing, and electrical lines installed in the dropped first floor ceiling..

Vacuum subcontractor located and engaged.
Lines relocated mid-construction to between the first and second stories.

Cantilever granite breakfast bar without legs or corbels.
- Steel brackets embedded pony wall. Pony wall clad in cabinetry panel.
Unify rooms and finishes to be integrated into a great-room format
- Installed continuous flooring throughout great room layout.
- Flat ceiling spans kitchen and living areas.
- Stone backsplash tile, painted cabinets, and granite counters in the kitchen were used at the desk, fireplace, and living room bookshelves to create visual connection between rooms.
Replace deteriorating, inefficient cabinetry.
- Maximize storage capacity by re-arranging appliance locations, including a second row of upper cabinetry and installing a recycling/trash pullout.
- Frame niche into adjacent garage to house client’s commercial grade blender and full-depth fridge. Full-depth refrigerator finished flush with cabinetry.
Replace half of split staircase to allow for pantry storage adjacent Kitchen.
- Split staircase re-configured into centralized stairway.
- Space for split staircase was transformed into a walk-in pantry.
- Shelving for L-shaped pantry space was cut out of sheets of MDF to minimize corner supports.
- Bi-fold doors were added to maximize storage space and accessibility.
Tract-home personality in a custom home.
- New fireplace unit and surround with materials that tied into kitchen finishes.
- Updated appliances in kitchen.
- New, dramatic finish palette custom selected by client.