Neighborly Courtyard House, Washington Real Estate Redevelopment, Architecture Images
Neighborly Courtyard House in Seattle
May 13, 2021
Neighborly Courtyard House
Architecture: CTA Design Builders
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA

Having lived in this modest mid-century rambler for a few years, the owners had developed a deep love for their very friendly neighborhood ? a 60s development of similar one-story brick-faced homes close-in to the city.

However as their children came along, so did a growing need for the house to function differently. As is so common in this earlier style of home, a dark hallway led from the front door past a living and dining room to 2 small bedrooms and a single bathroom on the main floor, and an enclosed stair down to an unfinished daylight basement.
An 80s addition allowed for a family room off the kitchen, but created a dark unpleasant area (we call them ?beer-can spaces?!) underneath that structure in the back yard. ?Knowing they did not want to move, they came to us to looking for creative ways to open up the house for more family-friendly living and to add a master bedroom suite.

Through CTA Design Builders’ assessment of the Neighborly Courtyard House, they observed how it felt very closed off from its exterior yards. The front yard had not been improved, but offered great potential for a patio that could make a friendly connection to the neighborhood. The back yard was large, and featured a huge, gorgeous red Japanese Maple...