Escalera

Going Underground The site the Wadhams found for their home was designated as “green belt” land, which meant that there were restrictions on the size of the structure’s footprint. Because it’s critical for the pair to live on a single floor, especially as they grow older, Archer tucked the home’s three guest rooms—vital for four visiting children and eight grandchildren—all belowground. Not only does that keep the home’s layout trim, but with the living spaces and master bedroom at ground level, the couple will be able to stay in the house for longer, getting more use out of the energy and resources expended to build it.

The spirit of retain and re-use guided the design behind the conversion, and was applied to all aspects of the project.

The architects divided the home into separate floors for sleeping, living, and working. Since the house is situated on a hill that slopes 20 feet from top to bottom, there are plenty of stairs. Those pictured above were crafted using wood salvaged from a 100-year-old bungalow that previously stood on the site.

Wood, carpet, glass, and concrete: the entryway is a nexus of material and textures.

“The hallway and courtyard are synonymous with each other visually, which has this very joyful quality about it,” says architect David Salmela.

The floating wood stairs descend in front of a stone wall, which extends from the outside in.

The large windows open up the interiors by creating double-height spaces that draw natural light into the heart of the house.

A floating staircase leads up from the common area to the bedrooms.

A steel brise-soleil in the hallway by the stairwell highlights the play of shadow and light as the sun moves. The stair is made from the same fallen silk oak tree as the dining table. Using this found timber not only created a relationship with the site, but helped to control the budget.

With the new stair orientation, there’s room for closets in the nearby bedroom and at the entry.