Optical Illusion
Morgan Square, Fremont, Calif.
Everything is not as it seems inside this 2,000-square-foot, single-family home in Fremont, Calif. And that’s a good thing.
From the street, the home—located in Morgan Square, a 48-unit infill project in the city’s historic Centreville District—resembles a classic two-story structure, with what looks like a top-floor deck. Perhaps a private porch for the master suite? And that room off the front entrance? Probably the living room, right?
Peek around to the side of the house, though, and things start to come into focus. The handsome, detail-rich home is actually three-stories tall, with the guts of the house—kitchen, living and dining rooms, a home management center, two bedrooms, a bath, and that handsome deck—on the second level. A large master suite is tucked into the unexpected third story, while the ground level boasts a sizable entry, front porch, full bath, laundry room, two-car garage, and a versatile retreat space (perfect for a home office). It’s chock full on the inside, but the exterior illusion of a two-story structure makes the house feel modest and less vertical.
Architects from Dahlin Group did as much as they could to offer detached definition within the confines of a pretty high density neighborhood. As a result, this project serves up privacy between homes, an upscale interior, and usable outdoor spaces. The ground-floor porch, patio, and versatile retreat space all bring upscale livability to the ground floor and provide a positive transition to the second level. An open floor plan gives the small residence a big feel, as do arches and plenty of tall windows.—Kathleen Stanley
Award: Grand for best single-family detached home—3,200- to 4,500-square-foot lot; Builder/Developer: SummerHill Homes, Palo Alto, Calif.; Architect: Dahlin Group, Pleasanton, Calif.; Land planner: Ruggeri, Jensen, Azar & Associates, Pleasanton
