El Monte Residence

Overland Park, Kansas

This project was for the remodel of a 1961 ranch home. The existing ground floor spaces were choppy, isolated and not functional. The basement stair in the center of the existing house was steep and isolated the kitchen from the living spaces. Earlier remodels had tries to open the plan, but did little more than make the existing kitchen functionally deficient. 

The clients desired a more open floor plan to unify and create a contemporary aesthetic throughout the kitchen, dining room and living space. Another major program requirement was a new office space and mudroom. 

The stair was relocated parallel with the front wall of the house. We then were able to place all the service program along this edge. The entry, top of stair and integrated dining area on one end, with the office and mud room at the other. The Kitchen and living are conceived as one open living space. The mudroom is separated from the kitchen by an oversized door. This allows for a direct connection, with the ability to close off the area when entertaining. The dining room is conceived as a space within a space. It has integral banquet seating and a lowered ceiling for a more intimate experience. Spatially is exists independently but is continuously linked with the rest of the living spaces.