The Interlock House began as a simple kitchen renovation with a desire for openness between existing kitchen and dining spaces. After an investigation to establish the core issues of the project with our clients, the existing closed in kitchen and a house layout containing two conflicting living room spaces were identified as the major culprits of a space that didn’t allow for a flow of light and activity in the home.

The new design is a reconfiguration of the kitchen and dining areas to create an interlocking play of light, material, form and space to flow through the house. Using custom detailed, vertical grain douglas fir cabinetry with a horizontal play of slatted ceiling and bench elements, we provided unique solutions for missing storage, tailored daily use features, and a variation in size and type of gathering spaces for a range of social interactions while entertaining. 

A second project phase carries the interior interlocking theme up to the second floor master suite and alterations to the home’s exterior elements. Exterior renovations reconfigure materials to echo the interior with new stucco and wood siding configurations around a more open front entry court and garden. At the second floor master bath and master walk-in closet, core issues of the design focus on a balance of the economic re-use of existing plumbing locations while establishing a more spacious and effective approach to storage and ease of use. The horizontal slat ceiling of the kitchen below transitions into a vertical wood accent concealed storage wall and shower bench. A full width mirror traversing along the vanity skylight and shower bench lightens and expands a compressed space while the simplicity and calmness of Japanese Inax wall tiles completes the aesthetics of the bathing experience.