A compact, unpermitted structure beside a historic Victorian in Eureka became a bright, colorful home for the Victorian owner's mother- and her small dog. The project involved a complete remodel of the existing building, working within its footprint while rebuilding nearly everything inside, including the loft, bathroom, and kitchen.

Large new windows transformed what had been a dark space, bringing in views of the lush backyard greenery. The existing porch was preserved so she could enjoy views of a wetland area just beyond. The one exception was the bathroom, whose only exterior wall needed to be fire-rated, ruling out windows. The solution was a skylight, which now pours light into a new walk-in shower below.

The design aimed to complement the adjacent Victorian while offering a modern interpretation- same property, different era. The client wanted flexibility, color, and a private outdoor space for herself and her dog, and all of it found its way into the finished project.

Construction budget was approximately $180,000.

Schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction observation with office input completed at K. Boodjeh Architects.