City Victorian
“Circulation is a great form giver to architecture.”
Hector V. Muñoz-Baras, Architect
This project is a great example of complicated circulation patterns driving the design solution. This is a favorite and consistent theme in vbA work, as circulation is the primary form "organizer". In this instance independent stairs needed to go up to an attic apartment, a stairway to go down to a basement, a stairway to a main floor which is 3 feet above grade and the integration of the old "servants" stair into a kitchen, breakfast nook addition.
This home had been wonderfully restored by its owners but the kitchen and nook area did not work, and as is typical with most homeowners; they would always walk into the house through the back door. This was a dangerous narrow winding set of steep steps. Our solution was a new "front facade" with a raised stone patio at kitchen level providing easy access to outdoor entertaining. The back yard is the main focus of their outdoor living so, sitting from their pool they now have a beautiful functional addition which carefully mimics the original 1890 period home.
