Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects

Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, TableMitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Interior Photography, ChairMitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, Lighting, ChairMitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Interior Photography, Bedroom, Windows, Shelving, TableMitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - More Images+ 18

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Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Joshua McHugh

Text description provided by the architects. In its previous life, this home was a spatially challenged ‘80s specimen known as a “contemporary.” But, while outdated, the house — an arrangement of three barn-like structures — had great bones and flow. So, instead of razing it, we entirely re-imagined and re-created it to appear as though it was built and designed from scratch.

Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade, Garden
© Joshua McHugh

In the main house, we rethought every detail. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom were flipped, with the bedroom moved from the front of the house to the back for privacy. Downstairs, we opened up the space significantly, removing an odd curved balcony to create a more spacious double-height living room, also facing the backyard (which includes a new deck with screened porch, and an all-new pool and small poolhouse located in a separate, gated area).

Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, Chair, Windows
© Joshua McHugh
Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Image 17 of 23
First Floor Plan
Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Chair, Countertop
© Joshua McHugh

The overall effect is one of seamless indoor-outdoor living that’s great for entertaining — especially in summer — but also kid-friendly (it houses a family of four). Inside, bleached white oak floors and white-painted wood planks lend a breezy, beachy vibe, accented with solid walnut and dark concrete and bronze.

Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, Chair
© Joshua McHugh

The windows — previously an awkward composition of uncoordinated shapes — were reenvisioned to create a look that’s modern and open but not overexposed. In the back of the house, an expansive quadrant of large square windows offers a clean, welcoming aesthetic from the outside and great views from the inside. But in the front (facing the road) the use of windows was pared down for privacy.

Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Interior Photography, Chair
© Joshua McHugh

On the outside, we visually emphasized the simple, iconic barn-like shapes of the three main volumes by using black stained cedar on the “links” between them. The black contrasts and falls into shadow next to the natural cedar, which will weather to a natural silver over time. A swath of the same black cedar announces the entrance as a sleek, modern “welcome portal,” with a sheltering roof over the glass front door.

Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table
© Joshua McHugh
Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Exterior Photography
© Joshua McHugh

Additionally, inside the connector between the main house and family room, we reconfigured the layout to include a side entrance to a new mudroom that connects to the rear of the house as well — increasing the practicality and maximizing the space in a home that’s now truly modern, rather than just contemporary in style.

Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Joshua McHugh

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Cite: "Mitchell Lane House / Robert Young Architects" 13 Mar 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/935368/mitchell-lane-house-robert-young-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

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