In view of the recent economic downturn, Jeffrey Allsbrook, Standard Principal and Co-Founder explains, Hidden House is the perfect example of how incorporating an existing structure can actually be the key to a successful new design.

Standard took on a challenging task when a young family asks for their help to build a new home with plenty of land for their children to grow up on. The family purchased the chosen site even though there was an already existing structure. Constrained to a strict budget, Standard managed to salvage and re-use 75 percent of the structure and existing materials.

What used to be 1,600 square-foot two-bedroom cottage becomes the living and dining spaces for Hidden House, now a 3,500 square-foot 3-bedroom plus office family home. Standard re-skinned everything to create a new cohesive design incorporating an added kitchen, family room, office, garage, master bedroom suite and children's bedroom that is carefully arranged around the original floor plan in an irregular H-shape pattern. Using inspiration from its site, Hidden House is arranged around two main courtyards completed with native plants and vegetables and pivoting doors in the main living spaces open up onto the courtyards providing expansive views of California paradise. Architect:standard

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