Once we decided that we would remodel to address our foundation issue, it was time to figure out the scope of our remodel.  Our home was built in the 1950’s.  Our home was a bi-level house with all the sleeping quarters built on top of the garage.  The living quarters were all downstairs on the first floor.  While determining the scope of the remodel we listed out priorities for remodeling.

1. expand the living quarters for our future family
2. create a master suite for us
3. modernize our interior - especially the kitchen
4. take more advantage of our view of the San Francisco Bay and canyon

Our home’s footprint was very narrow.  The entire width of our house was split between the living room and kitchen.  Even if the living room were able to take advantage of the entire width of the house, this would leave little room for the kitchen and the rest of the living quarters downstairs.

Like many homes built on the SF Peninsula, our house did not have a master suite.  All three bedrooms built on top of the 400 square foot garage shared one very small upstairs bathroom.  My wife and I longed to be able to use our own bathroom without having to walk across a hallway.

Practically all of our home’s interior was the same as it was when it was built.  Our kitchen for example still had its original GE range with all but one half functional electrical burner.  The kitchen decor was its original white and pink ceramic porcelain tile.  Much of the rest of the house was in the same sorely outdated style.

The main reason why we bought the house was for the location.  Our home was in a very good neighborhood situated in the hills on the SF Peninsula with sweeping views of the canyon and San Francisco Bay.   Although we could enjoy most of our view from the first floor, the second floor built on top of our garage was not facing the right direction of our view.

After discussing our priorities for remodeling, we quickly realized that our decision to remodel required either building UP or OUT.  Building up would create a real second story on top of the living quarter and enough room to create a new master suite.  Because the master suite would be built on top of the living quarters, it would be enjoy the great views but at higher elevation.  Building out would create the space we needed to expand the width of the house.  It would let us build a decent size kitchen and living room without having to carve out both rooms from limited square footage.

What would be ideal?  UP AND OUT.  A question we would need to have answered with the help of an architect…