Program / Scope:
A. Preservation & Restoration of the Exteriors to qualify for Historic Landmark Status
B. Renovation & Remodeling of the Interiors to be suitable for current living standards, while maintaining the original Architectural character & integrity of the house.
C. Provide larger bedrooms, Remodel Kitchen, Remodel 2 Bathrooms, Add Powder Room; Upgrade Infrastructure (Plumbing, Electrical, lighting); Improve Landscaping. No additional square footage

Budget/Cost: $300,000

Unusual Characteristics & Special Challenges:
1. The house is surrounded with tall masonry block walls, ranging from 6' to 10'. These perimeter walls create complete privacy for the house, entry courtyard and backyard / pool area, promoting indoor/outdoor living
2. Preservation, restoration & renovation of the house was very challenging due to its original building materials & methods of construction, which are: Concrete floors, concrete block walls, floor to ceiling glass windows & sliding glass doors, concrete roof with alternating upper & lower horizontal slabs which also function as the ceilings
3. 4' grid system was implemented throughout the design of the house. All exterior walls consist of alternating 4' of masonry block walls and 4' of glass. The same 4’ grid were utilized for the concrete roof slabs.
4. The main axis of the property runs east to west; starting from the main entry gate, through the entry courtyard, through the living room, to the backyard / pool area & culminating at the west perimeter wall. This axis is further strengthened by the flooring materials (exposed aggregate concrete paving at the outdoors and terrazzo tiles in the living room)
5. All building materials and structural elements are exposed throughout the house
6. 12’ high ceilings at the Living Room
7. 30’ high Italian Cypresses along north and east of property provide additional privacy

Solution/Design:
1. Restored & Preserved the Exterior of the House. Applied & Obtained Historic Landmark Status
2. Re-introduced windows at locations where they were replaced with solid walls during 70s & 80s.
3. Removed all interior alternation from 70s & 80s
4. Reconfigured interior circulation pattern to maximize usable living areas
5. Combined 2 small bedrooms to create a Master Suite and added powder room
6. Simple design concepts were utilized for interiors to maintain the emphasis on the original architectural & structural elements of the house.
7. Selected flooring materials such as cork and terrazzo, consistent with materials used in the 60s
8. Introduced space saving elements such as pocket doors, wall hung vanities & wall hung toilets w/ concealed tanks
9. Indirect lighting, track lighting & above cabinet lighting were chosen for general illumination and to  highlight the original structural & architectural elements of the house
10. Simple white shades were selected for windows to maintain the visual connectivity of indoors / outdoors
11. Maintained tall Italian Cypress trees for privacy, selected new plant materials in the entry courtyard compatible with existing; introduced new drought resistive plants, rocks & pebbles