The family that owned the small house on this tiny lot dreamed of a retreat from their busy city-bound academic lives.

They were hoping that there was a way to convert the little story and a half cottage to a sturdy house that they could use weekends, and eventually year-round.

The views were breath-taking, but the challenges of a tight budget and an even tighter lot, made this a challenge.

The newly remodeled house had to rise high enough to capture the views and to provide inspiration to the Owners. Both professors, one of philosophy and one of mathematics and with an active young daughter, they want space to study, write, contemplate the horizon and tend the garden.

The back of the house nestles into a steep hillside, catching the southern sun in the kitchen and dining areas, yet it does not interrupt the view from the houses behind it.

On the roof a “crow’s nest” provides a 360 degree view off the study on the 3rd floor.

To stay within budget, we left much of the existing structure on the first and second floor as well as the current kitchen and an existing bath. We removed almost all the interior walls opening the living, dining, kitchen and den spaces to each other, using the new stairway to provide some separation.

The entire space is flooded with light and surrounded by the water view, with a balcony off the den area. Reminders of the sea are everywhere.

The master suite, the daughter’s bedroom and a guest room and bath are on the second floor.

The stair to the 3rd floor leads to the study and a view of the world!

One morning at dawn the owner wrote these lovely words to us, “I also wanted to thank you and Roger once again for helping us to create and actually accomplish our new house. It is so very beautiful I cannot quite believe it, and get tears in my eyes as I walk about.

We moved in day before yesterday, … I am writing from my study as the sun comes up, and thinking of you both; how grateful I am for the design and help and advice you gave us along the way.

Everything about it is just perfect for our family!”