Kitchen & Bath Business September/October 2023 - 49

and the door tended to bind when operated.
The goal of the new steel door/window wall
(called a moment frame, in reference to the deforming
stresses - such as high winds or earthquakes
- it can withstand) was to expand the
opening to the full width of the building while
also providing a more thermally efficient assembly
that still reflected the original character of
the house. The design team also added a second
swinging door to the new unit to further smooth
the connection between the garden and kitchen.
" The installation of the moment frame was
complicated because it had to be assembled in
the field within the existing structure, " said Davis.
" The posts were first bolted to the existing
retaining wall below the finished floor. The beam
was then welded to the posts. "
SUPPLEMENTAL STORAGE
To keep the walls free of light-obstructing cabinets
and preserve the newly clean, open lines
of the room, drawers account for much of the
storage in the kitchen. Between the kitchen and
the dining room, the architect created a combination
pantry and utility room that centralizes
storage. On one side of this space, the door style
from the kitchen is continued, with full-height
cabinets concealing pull-out trays. A closet on
the opposite side of the pantry is camouflaged
by using a blind door that matches the tongueand-groove
wall paneling.
ABOVE This remodeled
kitchen by Malcolm Davis
Architecture is spacious, open
and bright. New frosted-glass
windows accentuate the
height of the room and ensure
privacy without sacrificing
natural light. Floating shelves
installed across from the
windows not only supply
display space, they also
give guests easy access to
necessities.
BELOW To widen the opening
and carry the weight of the
two floors above the kitchen,
an exposed moment frame
was installed. It is held
back from the side walls so
light from the windows can
illuminate the corners of the
kitchen while framing the
garden view. It was also held
back from the rear wall to
shroud a roller shade system
that screens sun glare.
" The clients were really pleased with how
our design kept the original spirit of the Victorian
home but allowed for so much additional
daylight to penetrate the interior spaces
throughout the day, " said Davis. " The house
is an infinitely more successful entertaining
space, a light-filled place to gather with their
grandchildren and extended family. "

SOURCES: DESIGNER: Malcolm Davis, architect; Pat Blackburn, project manager, Malcolm Davis Architecture; GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Vonnegut Thoreau Construction; STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING: Semco Engineering; PHOTOGRAPHER: Mariko Reed; CABINETRY: Malcolm Davis Architecture; DISHWASHERS, WALL OVENS & WINE COOLER: Miele; FAUCETS & SINKS: Dornbracht,
Lacava & Toto; HARDWARE: Schoolhouse; LIGHTING: Louis Poulsen; RANGE: Wolf; RANGE HOOD: Best; REFRIGERATOR: Sub-Zero
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Kitchen & Bath Business September/October 2023

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