STUDIO RB

Hidden huge windows in the front were the first striking feature. But as we entered, the room felt cramped, dark, and very much like a claustrophobic place rather than one filled with light as one might expect.

The huge windows were thrown open as soon as possible, and the exterior was cleared to allow in an abundance of natural light.

As we moved inside, we realized how important it was to create an open space so that natural light could flood the space. First and foremost, we wanted to connect the front and back so that light could enter from both sides. This was accomplished by taking down the bath room that blocked the front door, opening several walls that blocked the view from the front door, and removing the wall separating the dining room and living room. All that was left was a 360-degree freestanding fireplace, which we enlarged by adding glass doors that opened to the garden.

In addition, we repositioned the second-floor slab to improve the entry's double-height space and increase natural light. This modification required a major structural overhaul, involving the installation of new steel beams that were placed into the floor and connected to the back of the house with extra steel column support. As a result, the second-floor slab could be cantilevered and the entry was devoid of columns.