You never know what you’ll find on the streets.
Whole House Office Christopher Strom Architects The midcentury house marooned by freeway development was too beautiful to demolish. Its new owner took one look at its terrazzo floors and high Roman brick walls and thought the structure had enough grandeur to greet the public. Now it has a new life as a small, showpiece office building. “Every aspect of the home has been improved to that purpose, but in keeping with the original design,” says architect Christopher Strom, AIA. New siding in pre-patina copper, a frosted glass garage door, architectural planters, and a glass-wrapped entry help make a clean, formal street presentation. Inside, a waiting area includes a wood-paneled nook with a bench. A built-in banquette encircles a special table the owner brought in, creating an intimate meeting center. A variety of workspaces, along with storage and library shelving, make this a quirky but fully outfitted, multi-featured office environment. Even so, a few distinctly home-like touches remain. For instance, the original kitchen is largely preserved, for lunch prep. An axe-throwing range in the backyard beckons if there is time for a work break. “The owner doesn’t live here, but she uses the office as if she’s working from home,” says Strom. “It’s just a very comfortable, very energizing, work environment.”
