Project: The Dog’s Breakfast – Redmond Home Renovation
Architecture: Paul Michael Davis Architects
PMDA Design Team: Paul Michael Davis, Principal Architect; Ryan Salas, Project Designer; Amanda Kindregan
Structural Engineer: Swenson Say Faget
Contractor: Inglewood Construction
Green Wall: Grow Up Greenwalls
Location: Redmon, Washington
Photo Credits: Mark Woods
The Dog’s Breakfast, a residential transformation designed by Paul Michael Davis Architects connecting existing 1930s and 1990s buildings in Redmond, Washington
James Lin and Owen Liu reached out to Paul Michael Davis Architects (PMDA) to help renovate their home, where they had lived for about a year. The house was unique, originally built in 1933 when Redmond was farmland and cabins. It featured a modest rambler overlooking the Cascade Mountains. Over time, developments transformed the landscape, and nearby, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft.
Historical Background and Initial Condition
In 1991, a developer bought the bungalow and added a large extension. They also designed a matching replacement for the original structure, with another wing in a quasi-Craftsman McMansion style. However, this plan was never realized. When James and Owen bought the house, they knew it would be a project, but their budget required keeping the existing building. Lin looked at the gravel pit between the old and new buildings and thought, “This could become the elevated, multi-dimensional indoor-outdoor living hub at the heart of our house. Owen’s passion for piano and my love of gardening and ponds could all thrive here!”
Embracing the Challenge
“The Dog’s Breakfast is a funny Australian term to describe a complete and utter mess,” says PMDA Project Designer Ryan Salas, who studied in Australia. It was a fair description of the site. “Creating something clean and modern from scratch is hard enough; turning someone else’s mess into something delightful was a challenge.” The team embraced the chaos. An inverted roof echoes the rooflines of the two older wings, just upside down. James’ day job, related to AR/VR, proved valuable early in the design development. Salas developed a rendering for a VR device, showing everyone PMDA’s vision.
The Heart of the Home
The new space became the vertical and horizontal circulation center of the house. James finds great joy in maintaining the green wall every day while Owen plays piano below.
Blending Old and New
The renovation successfully merged the old and new parts of the house, creating a cohesive and functional living space. The green wall and the piano area are focal points that blend James’ love for gardening and Owen’s passion for music. The inverted roof design not only ties the two wings together but also adds a modern architectural element.
Conclusion
James Lin and Owen Liu’s Redmond home renovation, designed by Paul Michael Davis Architects, stands as a testament to creativity and innovation. Despite the initial mess, the house was transformed into a beautiful and functional living space that honors the past while embracing the future.
