Architect Paul Pavlock drafted a study on how he might rework the existing house. "I became intrigued with the house when Bob asked me to draw the existing floor plans when the house went on the market," says Paul. "The first thing you notice about the house, of course is the steep driveway. But once you're up it you realize what a wonderful site it is and that the existing house makes some good responses to the lot. What sort of drove my thinking was how to help the driveway issue and then how to expand upon the relationship the house has to the site."

Paul envisioned cutting a small garage into the grade of the driveway as a solution to the steep approach for cars. A reconfigured stairway and landings connect the garage to the house.

For Pavlock the key to the redo was opening up the main floor so that it flowed from east to west. It was important that one be visually connected to the outdoor decks from all areas. The bathroom on the main level was replaced by a powder room pulled back to the rear of the house.
This opened up the kitchen dramatically connecting it to the outdoors. He removed the spiral staircase, and changed the location of the stairway and the main entrance. Glass walls on either end bring the trees in and was the space with light.

Upstairs Paul elected to eliminate the vaulted area over the living room, push out the ends slightly and combine spaces to add a third bedroom, another bathroom, a media area, and to reconfigure the master bedroom.

Changing the window package and re-cladding the envelope for a unified and more monolithic look could go a long way in establishing a modern architectural identity. "Keeping the exterior color palate a dark, base 4 scheme would blend it into the forested setting."