we approached the second floor addition to this house in san rafael neighborhood of pasadena very carefully. the original architect was a young student of richard neutra, and contained in its colonial exterior was a taut spatial exercise we didn’t want to compromise. the second floor nestles as close as possible to the existing roof while continuing the module of exposed roof beams. the new kitchen at the rear opens to the hillside behind the house while continuing the exposed wood, cabin-like interior of the original double height living room.