sTANDISH rESIDENCE

Built in 1966, the Standish residence, stands as a sculptural gem in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield, Michigan. The brick used throughout the home matches the masonry that was utilized on many of the buildings at the nearby Cranbrook Academy of Art designed by Eliel Saarinen. The expansive great room space originally contained an in-ground pool. The outer wings surrounding the pool area contained the living and bedroom areas. These areas were originally separated from the stone pool deck by use of sliding patio doors. Additional doors also occurred on either side of the round fireplace at the kitchen. A counter weight system enabled metal shrouds to raise and lower independently to provide additional heating and ambiance. This newly purchased residence was in need of a major renovation to meet the homeowner’s modern aesthetic desires and unique functional requirements. The kitchen and dining areas were developed into a single unified space with seating for casual dining that centered itself on the refurbished sculptural fireplace. In the great room, the roof deck was insulated and drywalled. New light fixtures were incorporated to accent the space and to reduce its massive scale. A new fireplace and entertainment component were inserted to satisfy a functional request while providing a new focal point and privacy for the upstairs bedroom suite. The existing stone wall/ diving platform was lowered and extended to “contain” the living area while providing bar seating and a serving counter. Lastly, the master bedroom suite was rejuvenated by vaulting the existing ceilings and creating an open floor plan, which united the bathing, bedroom and closet functions.