This Phinney Ridge renovation introduces a light-filled, modern interior behind a restrained, context-sensitive exterior.

The clients, a European couple with a young son, purchased a modest home on Phinney Ridge and engaged the design team to renovate and expand the existing structure to better support family life. The project focused on adding a second level to capture west-facing views, while creating space for a home office and more generous living areas.

Respect for neighborhood scale was a guiding principle. While the street-facing facade retains a traditional, understated character, the west-facing elevation opens up through large areas of glazing and new decks oriented toward views of the Olympic Mountains. Inside, the original dark, compartmentalized layout was transformed into a light-filled, open interior with a minimalist, European sensibility. A new linear stair connects all three levels and serves as the project’s organizing element. Strategic design decisions and the use of select off-the-shelf components helped keep the project within a modest budget.