Sunset Hill Overlook

The second-floor great room opens to an expansive, partially-covered deck, wrapping from the front around the length of the house. We achieved the ample deck by remaining decidedly conservative with the interior square footage, while emphasizing the connection to the outdoors — and capturing the spectacular views from the indoors — with near-continuous glazing along the western wall. The roofline extends over the deck, with space for both outdoor dining and lounging, making it feel like a true extension of interior living and dining spaces, and allowing for year-round enjoyment.

While comfortable and spacious areas for guests was in the forefront of this design, daily livability of the home also needed consideration. The new, centrally located stair emerges in the center of the great room, delineating the kitchen from a spacious dining area, defining the kitchen as a discrete and contained space, while allowing it to remain open to the rest of the room. By strategically situating the sitting room and a small powder room along the eastern and northern walls, we were able balance the views with dynamic, livable spaces that feel right-sized for both large gatherings and quiet evenings as a family.

Outside, a lower deck carved out of what was once the kitchen provides direct access to a large backyard with a sport court and a grassy side-yard so there is plenty of room for outdoor fun for children and adults alike. Though visible from the raised deck, the backyard and lower deck feel intimate, an escape from the activity above, so multiple groups can gather and enjoy indoor and outdoor activities at once.