Revivalist History
Modern values while preserving history.
On Victoria Drive in Santa Ana, we worked closely with a couple passionate about their turn of the (last) century home. They’d maintained a museum-like authenticity to the era, and it was important to them, and us, to preserve it. The challenge? Create more space and deliver an airy, contemporary feeling within the constraints of a period home—and set the structure up for its next 100 years.
Creating the new second-floor en suite meant opening up walls and floors, and the 1920s code, along with some dry rot, meant we needed to reinforce the floor while preserving the den below. We worked closely with our engineer to meet code and bring the home up to current seismic standards, without compromising the aesthetic.
Adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to their double lot could deliver both a kitchen with teaching space to a professional chef, and meet the needs of a well-traveled CEO serious about his photography hobby. At 750 sq ft, the new ADU is connected to the main house by a massive covered patio. The roofline continues overhead, creating a classic California room and achieving a seamless visual connection to the original house.
