Miniature Marvel

When a family of four outgrew their cozy cottage in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood, they wrestled with their need for more breathing room. Agonizing over possible next steps, they considered relocating to a larger home, adding a third story to the existing cottage, or leveling the house and starting over. Engaging local firm Best Practice Architecture to weigh their options, they ultimately decided to remain in the home they loved and undertake a modest expansion—of only 30 square feet—to meet their family’s needs. "They didn’t need more space, just better space," says Kip Katich, an architect and partner at the firm. As the winner of this year’s Andersen Bright Ideas Awards, the outstanding residential project was chosen for its creative design approach and exceptional daylighting strategy.

The reconfiguration of the 1,665-square-foot home’s main living level centered on one feature: a Japanese ofuro, or soaking tub. The couple, one of whom had grown up in Japan, envisioned the traditional tub becoming a gathering spot for their family. "It was the one indulgence they afforded, for that was an essential part of the family culture," says Katich. A previously tiny, single bathroom was enlarged and reorganized—at the expense of the kitchen. "We took a seemingly counterintuitive approach by slightly reducing the width of the kitchen to accommodate the generously sized family bathroom," says Katich. Once they were reconfigured, a 30-square-foot "micro addition" was introduced solely to accommodate the sunken ofuro, the hub of the renovated family home.

The original windows of the 1907 cottage were replaced in kind, and the rear addition afforded greater freedom. With the family wishing to maximize natural light and preserve sight lines to the surrounding landscape and open sky, Katich and team introduced expansive glazing at the home’s rear. A folding window wall seamlessly joins the ofuro with the outdoors, providing amplified views of the lush backyard’s mature maple and cherry trees. "Whether it is a place to sit on the deck to dip your toes on a warm day or enjoy a hot, relaxing soak with abundant natural light, the final design provides a place for shared family experience," Katich says.

Read more about this year’s winning project at dwell.com/andersen.

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