Georgina Verza had been dreaming about expanding her yoga and massage studio for years. She’d been operating in the remodeled basement of her 1967 split-level home in Redmond, Washington, just outside of Seattle, but it was evident that she’d outgrown the space. She and her husband, Diego, had taken on other renovation projects themselves, but for this, they enlisted architect Robert Hutchison.

“I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn’t know how to do it,” says Georgina, who contacted Hutchison in July 2018.

Before: Yoga and Massage Studio

The El Jardin yoga studio suffered from an awkward, L-shaped layout that could accommodate “six people who knew each other well,” says Georgina. By extending the foundation five feet to support a new, expansive deck, the team enabled an indoor/outdoor experience. Now, the instructor can comfortably teach eight people inside with an additional four on the deck, which is partially covered by a cantilever.

After: Yoga Studio

The additional square footage allowed the architects to rework the basement layout. In addition to the yoga studio, there’s also a powder room and a washer and dryer; behind a plywood storage wall for yoga mats and accessories, there’s the massage room, plus a small office—“a little gift” for Georgina that wasn’t initially planned. Another major bonus: the floor is heated.

The renovation didn’t stop at the yoga studio, however. Once the team started designing, things grew organically: With the extended basement, there was an opportunity to enlarge the primary bedroom and bathroom. And since the building crew would be on site, why not open up the main living space to better connect with the deck and surrounding landscape?

“It’s classic scope creep, but there are reasons for it,” says Hutchison, noting that phasing a renovation to save money doesn’t actually work because of the high cost of mobilization: “It’s better if you do it all at once.”

In total, they only added 400 square feet, but by reworking the flow, opening up the formerly segmented interior, and adding a stunner of a deck, Hutchison’s team completely transformed the house for the couple and their two children. “You have the feeling that the home is bigger than it actually is,” says Georgina.

Before: Primary Bedroom

Since the main bedroom sits above the enlarged studio, the room was also expanded. Hutchison’s team, including architectural designer Xiaoxi Jiao, envisioned a shed extension with a double-height ceiling. The raised roof allows for a loft above the walk-in closet, which Diego uses as an office and music studio.

After: Primary Bedroom

Plywood was used throughout to add warmth and keep costs low. “It’s very calming to look at the roughness of the wood,” says Georgina, adding that the light from a column of corner windows reflects off the material, casting a warm glow into the room.

Before: Primary Bathroom

After: Primary Bathroom

Before: Dining Room

After: Dining Room

A main goal of the renovation was to better connect the home with its forested lot. “One of the things that convinced me to buy the house was the fact that when you open the front door, you see all of this green coming in through the backyard,” says Georgina." layout="bleed" credit="Rafael Soldi" photoUserId=""/>

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Before: Living Room

After: Living Room

Before: Backyard

After: Backyard

While the project began well before COVID-19 was a concern, the family of four was able to move back in for a summer quarantine. “It was such a nice moment to have a house that we can actually enjoy,” says Georgina. Diego also gained an office in the renovation, so it’s been ideal for remote work and schooling for the kids.

However, the pandemic has prevented the couple from using every space to its fullest potential: Georgina hasn’t been able to host group yoga classes, and the deck, with its amphitheater-like seating, has yet to be christened with a performance by Diego’s band.

“The deck is certainly the ‘wow’ factor for everyone,” says Georgina. “When clients see it, they say, ‘This space is just waiting for a party.’”

Before: Kids’ Room

After: Kids’ Room

After: Facade

More by Robert Hutchison: A Midcentury Home Receives a Subtle Update in a Historic Community Near Seattle

Project Credits:

Architect: Robert Hutchison Architecture / @robhutcharch

General contractor: RC Homes

Structural engineer: Swenson Say Faget