The Nice Neighbor

Nestled in Old North Boulder, this 1960’s ranch remodel transformed both the home’s interior and its exterior. Unsure of exactly how to modify their house, this family began with three key thoughts: adding a front porch; bringing in natural daylight; and using their existing space in a better and more efficient manner. After considering options that included adding a second floor, they ultimately decided against new square footage, instead focusing the design energy on improving what was present and respecting the one-story vernacular of the surrounding neighborhood - thus remaining the nice neighbor.

Early morning light pours through clerestory windows thanks to a new shed roof - which also adds volume to spaces originally constricted by an 8’-0” ceiling height. The wonderful south-facing backyard, which had felt divorced from the house, now enjoys direct connections from a combined living / dining area resulting from a newly open floorplan and rerouted staircase. The front of the house begged a more personal connection to the street - in contrast to the existing driveway approach and nondescript entrance. A generous porch, new carriage garage doors, and native landscaping around a new front walkway, collectively shifts the entry procession. This approach also brought “eyes to the street”, again exemplifying a neighborliness.

What was once a floor plan of separate rooms is now an open and flowing space that connects the hub of the home - the kitchen - to the outdoor spaces at both the front and the back of the house.