before-&-after-–-a-1960s-split-level-turned-three-story-home-in-seattle
Architecture

Before & After – A 1960s Split-Level Turned Three-Story Home In Seattle

A 1960s split-level home was transformed into a clean, functional, and practical design for a family of five.

Floisand Studio Architects has sent us photos of a remodel project they completed in Seattle, Washington, that transformed a 1960s split-level home into an updated design for a family of five.

The project’s goals were to modernize the space, add a third floor, relocate the primary bedroom, and open up the main floor living space.

Before – The Exterior

Often referred to as a ‘bi-level’ home, the original home was two floors with a protruding entryway.

BEFORE - A 1960s split-level home was transformed into a clean, functional, and practical design for a family of five.
Photography provided by Floisand Studio Architects

After – The Exterior

While Floisand preserved the basic structure of the original split level, everything else underwent significant changes. A ribbon of windows adorns each floor, allowing for abundant natural light and showcasing the surrounding views.

AFTER - A 1960s split-level home was transformed into a clean, functional, and practical design for a family of five.
Photography by Floisand Studio Architects
AFTER - A 1960s split-level home was transformed into a clean, functional, and practical design for a family of five.
Photography by Floisand Studio Architects

Before – The Front Door

The original front door was a solid wood wood nestled within a protruding addition with glass blocks.

Before - The original front door was a solid wood wood nestled within a protruding addition with glass blocks.
Photography provided by Floisand Studio Architects

After – The Front Door

The entryway of the home was given a fresh makeover, with steps leading up to a metal screen and a bright yellow door.

The entryway of this remodeled home was given a fresh makeover, with steps leading up to a metal screen and a bright yellow door.
Photography by Floisand Studio Architects
The entryway of this remodeled home was given a fresh makeover, with steps leading up to a metal screen and a bright yellow door.
Photography by Floisand Studio Architects
The entryway of this remodeled home was given a fresh makeover, with steps leading up to a metal screen and a bright yellow door.
Photography by Floisand Studio Architects

Before – Living Room

The original living room was separated from the kitchen and dining room.

BEFORE - The original living room was separated from the kitchen and dining room.
Photography provided by Floisand Studio Architects

After – The Living Room + Fireplace

The interior walls of the living space were torn down, creating an open living, kitchen, and dining area. the living room at the front of the home was expanded. A new fireplace was also added.

A modern living room with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Photography by Rafael Soldi
A modern home with a fireplace and decorative safety screen for the stairs.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

Before – The Dining Room and Kitchen

The original dining and kitchen area had a combination of dark and light wood cabinets.

BEFORE - The original dining and kitchen area had a combination of dark and light wood cabinets.
Photography provided by Floisand Studio Architects

After – The Outdoor Space

This open area at the other end of the social space is dedicated to the dining area and kitchen. The area is framed on one end by a vaulted ceiling, which leads to a protected patio accessible via large glass sliders, and on the other end by a wall of windows offering water views.

A modern home with an open dining area and kitchen, with doors that connect to the patio outside.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

After – The Dining Room

The dining room has a large wood dining table with bench and chair seating, as well as a wood bookshelf and art wall.

This modern dining room has a large wood dining table with bench and chair seating, as well as a wood bookshelf and art wall.
Photography by Rafael Soldi
This modern dining room has a large wood dining table with bench and chair seating, as well as a wood bookshelf and art wall.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

Before – The Kitchen

The original kitchen had wood cabinets and multiple different tile designs.

BEFORE - The original kitchen had wood cabinets and multiple different tile designs.
Photography provided by Floisand Studio Architects

After – The Kitchen

The new bright and open kitchen includes minimalist white cabinets with wood accents.

This new bright and open kitchen includes minimalist white cabinets with wood accents.
Photography by Rafael Soldi
This new bright and open kitchen includes minimalist white cabinets with wood accents.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

After – The Stairs

To enhance the aesthetics and functionality of the home, the original closed stairway was replaced with a steel and wood open riser stairwell.

To enhance the aesthetics and functionality of this remodeled home, the original closed stairway was replaced with a steel and wood open riser stairwell.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

Fall protection was integrated into the design through a patterned steel screen, which serves as a barrier at the new entry porch, main stair, and upper deck. This screen not only ensures safety but also allows filtered light to permeate the adjacent spaces, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Fall protection was integrated into the design of these wood and steel stairs through a patterned screen.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

After – The Deck

Due to an additional floor being added to the home, a new space was created for an additional outdoor area.

Due to an additional storey being added to the home, a new space was created for an additional outdoor area.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

Before – A Bedroom

Here’s one of the original bedrooms that includes green walls, wood floors, and white window frames.

BEFORE - A bedroom with green walls, wood floors, and white window frames.
Photography provided by Floisand Studio Architects

After – The Primary Bedroom

The primary bedroom was relocated from the basement to the newly added third story. Black-framed windows allow for a picturesque view.

This primary bedroom was relocated from the basement to a newly added third story. Black-framed windows allow for a picturesque view.
Photography by Rafael Soldi
A modern bedroom design with minimalist wall scones.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

After – A Kid’s Bedroom

In one of the kid’s bedrooms, a pink accent wall with a neon sign creates a fun and colorful environment.

In a kid's bedroom, a pink accent wall with a neon sign creates a fun and colorful environment.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

Before – The Bathrooms

The original bathrooms both include glass blocks, as well as tiled bathtub surrounds.

BEFORE - A bathroom with glass blocks.
Photography provided by Floisand Studio Architects
BEFORE - A bathroom with glass blocks.
Photography provided by Floisand Studio Architects

After – The Bathroom

The back side of the home, where the bathroom is situated, faces the windows of neighboring homes on the hillside above. To address this, a wide skylight was incorporated, spanning the length of the wet room. This skylight serves the dual purpose of bringing in natural light while ensuring privacy.

A modern bathroom with a wide skylight in the wet room and a strategically placed mirror that makes the room feel larger.
Photography by Rafael Soldi

In addition, a custom mirror was strategically placed above the vanity, creating the illusion of depth in an otherwise relatively narrow primary bathroom. This design element adds a sense of spaciousness to the area.

A modern bathroom with a wide skylight in the wet room and a strategically placed mirror that makes the room feel larger.
Photography by Rafael Soldi | Architect: Floisand Studio Architects | Contractor: Fradkin Fine Construction | Select Artwork: Dodi Fredericks

Source: Contemporist

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