The homeowners wanted to add another floor and update the layout to better reflect the focal point of their home—the chef's kitchen. Model Remodel stripped the home down to the foundation and rebuilt this home with the guidance and vision of Forrest Murphy of CAST Architecture.

Natural light now flows throughout the open living, kitchen, and dining room spaces. An accordion door off the kitchen opens to a deck with views of the Fremont Bridge and docks—perfect for entertaining. The top floor hosts the master suite and features a reclaimed wood wall using lumber from the original home's fir flooring. This half-wall allows northern light from the stairwell to spill into the vaulted space. The house also features a semi-separate dwelling area in the basement with a bedroom, bathroom, and its own side entrance, perfect for family and friends!

Model Remodel's upgrades to the insulation and building envelope will reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling and issues concerning moisture that come with a leaky house. In combination with a high-efficiency tankless gas water heater and low-flow plumbing fixtures, the house will now use less energy. From the in-wall LEDs illuminating the ceiling and exposed floor joists to the full-height, 220-pound door that retracts flush into the wall and tile work, this project is all in the details. Through lead abatement and a particularly rainy season, Model Remodel's focus and execution shines through.

Built Green Highlights

Site and Water

• No increase to the existing building footprint
• Trees retained on-site
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures

Energy Efficiency

• ENERGY STAR appliances, exhaust fans, and gas tankless water heater
• LED lighting
• Nest smart thermostat
• Blower door score: 3.86ACH @ 50Pa