AAHA Studio completed designs for the renovation and extension of Pine Avenue after it suffered damage to due to a fire. The front portion of the Pine Avenue residence was directly affected by the flames and required full demolition while the rest of the home suffered severe smoke damage and was a complete gut. The extent of the damage resulted in requiring a more extensive remodel and therefore created a catalyst for the extension to the second story at the front of the home.
Here, Harper Halprin and Aaron Leshtz, Founders of AAHA Studio, share the details behind this extraordinary project.
What was the original client brief? What did you want to achieve with this project?
This project was an extensive renovation of a family home that was damaged by fire, with the goal of creating a calm, light filled, resort inspired space that blends indoor and outdoor living. The clients are professionals who work hard as well as raising their two kids. Their space needed to be an oasis for both play and relaxation. They wanted to incorporate natural light and outdoor access throughout the design. They love entertaining and cooking and wanted to host large meals and parties, so flow between indoor and outdoor areas as well as various different gathering spaces was a priority.
Their wish list included a functional sunlit kitchen connected to outdoor dining and pool areas. In-law suite for visiting grandparents, a soundproofed media room, bar space, home gym and intentional kid friendly features like study spaces and reading areas. They wanted to incorporated spaces for their hobbies, such as gardening and their love of music. We created various dedicated areas for both including a space specifically for a baby grand piano (to replace the one lost in the fire) that connects to an outdoor courtyard – a perfect place to sit and enjoy their landscape as well as a gathering space to listen to the piano.
Overall, they envisioned a warm, serene, organised, and functional home with clean interiors, storage, entertaining areas, all designed to feel like their own private retreat where they can work, play, host, and relax.
What is your favourite part of this project and Why?
We love so many little moments of this project. The way all the small details came together really makes for a cohesive and beautiful space. The shinning star really being the indoor atrium. This lets so much natural light into the middle of the home, which is always a big problem on a narrow urban infill lot. The feel of this space really transports you and merges an industrial flare of steel and glass with the clean and bright beach inspired interiors.
What is your favourite room?
We love the way the media room turned out. It is not what you would consider a space that would work for both entertaining while rocking out with a family karaoke session as well as a comfy screening room with your favorite movie being played on the projector. Heavy velvet curtains act as the perfect acoustic sound deadening element while simultaneously creating a moody and dark space that is a wonderful contrast to the light and bright interiors you get just outside the door. Changing the wood finish from oak to walnut brings in the natural tones that are throughout the house while bridging the gap in tonality to create a beautiful bar backdrop for the space.
Were there any unique inspiration for the project?
The family’s love and music were present throughout the remodel, including space dedicated to the baby grand piano, media / music room, as well as a focus on open flow and indoor/outdoor access.
Any cost-saving swaps?
They loved the look of steel windows and doors, but instead we used Fleetwood aluminium system as well as the Sun Valley skylight system for the atrium. When they pivoted to Fleetwood, the rep tried to get them to omit the divided lites, more typical of a Fleetwood package and another cost saving technique. We went out on a limb and begged them to keep them in, and we are so glad they agreed. They really help bring a touch of transitional flare to the architecture and add scale and texture to the expansive light filled spaces.
Were there any unique additions or material choices that were chosen for a particular function?
They really wanted the primary bedroom and bathroom to feel like a high-end hotel – an oasis from their busy outside lives. The problem was the allocated space was on the smaller side. As a solution we decided to have the room, office and closet blur together into one free flowing space. By opening the closet to the room and having all built in millwork that created the headboard for the primary bed as well as a frame for the vanity the room really took on another dimension.
In the bathroom, they wanted varying textures, so we introduced a raked waterproof plaster to contrast the hard surfaces above the vanity. The plaster casts different highlights and shadows as the natural light hits it and is such an interesting change of pace from a traditional backsplash.
What was the most surprising part of this project?
How something that started with such a horrible event became such a calm and serene space – a beautiful backdrop for an amazing family. And how it continues to change and grow with them as they go through various parts of their lives.
Were there any challenges during construction and/or any lessons learned from the project?
Pushing our team and the contractor to think about integrating finishes, out of the box glazing systems and a large amount of millwork before they even wrapped up framing. Biggest lesson learned was you really have to advocate for both the big and small aspects of each project and how much each decision as you move through construction affects the final product.
