RORK-ZIMET RESIDENCE

From uninspiring and dark to inviting and bright

Teton County, Wyoming  •  2,795 sq. ft.

This property, located just south of Jackson, Wyoming, is only .33 acres, but it is adjacent to a dedicated open space to the west, which allows expanded views of the Teton mountain range. The existing 1,739 square foot house, however, did not have many redeeming qualities. It included 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, but was strangely proportioned in plan from the small bedrooms to the awkward, cave-like covered entry to the lack of transition spaces in the living, dining and kitchen areas. The owner’s grand piano was placed directly next to the kitchen counter which included the cooktop. The impracticality continued in the two-car garage which could only comfortably accommodate 2 Mini Coopers or 2 golf carts and storage was non-existent.

The exterior of the house was initially designed with minimal cost and only basic shelter in mind. The cheap sliding windows were older, and most of the panes had failed and fogged over. No trim surrounded the doors and windows and the siding was a simple clapboard style with the same brown stain everywhere. The overall composition was uninspiring and rendered the house almost invisible when driving down the road.

For Dubbe Moulder Architects, the first thing to tackle was the plan: identifying what a family might need in a house from a functional standpoint is crucial. While establishing the program for the future needs of the house, the clients realized that the master bedroom area in its entirety was too small and oddly configured. There was also a multi-functioning bathroom that serviced not only the two other bedrooms but acted as a powder room for guests. While this proved to be cost effective initially, it invited guests into the private part of the house. To make this home work functionally, there were many issues to address. 

Our solution essentially created an entirely new home. First, the front entrance was completely reorganized and redesigned to create a much needed sense of entry. It now specifically includes a place to take your boots off, a closet to hang your coat, and a powder room for guests. The living room and dining rooms and kitchen areas were also remodeled and updated; the interiors made to be simple and clean. A fireplace wall was designed with stained custom built-in cabinetry which balances nicely with the painted casework. Teal carpeting, which made the rooms look small, was replaced throughout the home with 6” wide random length cherry flooring.  Completely re-envisioned, the kitchen now boasts Viking appliances, white cabinetry and a butcher-block topped island. The breakfast nook was also expanded to become an actual dining room which decluttered the living room area and enabled proper space for the grand piano. Finally, the mudroom was redesigned to not only provide a transition into the house from the garage but to accommodate the laundry, a coat closet and food pantry.

The expansion also included turning the master bedroom into a viable master suite, allowing for the addition of a private sitting area overlooking the new outdoor deck, incorporating a gas fireplace, an ample walk-in closet, and an office which serves as a transition space leading from the public part of the house to the most private. A full bathroom was repositioned between the two bedrooms in a “Jack & Jill” fashion, ensuring proper privacy.

Perhaps the most important addition/alteration was expanding the garage to accommodate two full sized vehicles along with storage space for bikes, mowers, shelves, etc. Attic trusses were also incorporated for additional storage.

In total the house expanded to be approximately 2,795 square feet, not including the garage. The exterior of the home was transformed from a boring, tired, “another-ranch-house” to an inviting home with tremendous curb appeal by combining vertical and horizontal siding in different shades of brown and adding color in the red clad windows that match the fascia. Craftsman style qualities were requested and DMA provided a pleasant composition with a “mountainesque” flair.