Onyx Street, Larkspur - Structural phases
Hyndman Studio envisioned, implemented and is currently overseeing this exciting renovation and expansion in Larkspur.
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The Onyx house was originally a single-floor, 1910s vacation cottage with only a very tiny garage at street level. Over the decades, a patchwork of tiny rooms with low ceilings had been squeezed into the crawl space below the house and the outdoor porch at the front was, at some point, enclosed with windows between the original pillars.
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Hyndman Studio's plans called for the demolition of all structures below the main floor, which was lifted 30" before excavating significantly into the hillside and building a full height, enlarged middle level floor and a generous 4-car garage with storage and mechanical rooms at street level. A new stairwell joins all three levels for the first time.
Proposed design rendering
BEFORE photo
Project objectives:
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Raise the house to allow for full 8ft ceilings at the lower and middle levels.
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Enlarge the footprint of both the lower and middle levels by excavating into the hillside.
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Incorporate a stairwell to link all three levels.
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Significantly improve the architectural appearance of the front, street-view elevation of the house.
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Renovate with a sensitivity to retaining and improving period architectural detailing.
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Interior design throughout.
Arresting the upper floor, demolition of the two floors below & upper floor 30" lift:
Excavating for the new 4-car garage:
Concrete retaining walls, foundations and garage floor:
New middle level structural floor beams and joists & reconfigure house lift crib stacks:
