Kid's House, Annex

An organic annex that adapts to changing family needs
Rooms within rooms: fun alcove beds

This house was built when the family’s son was less than a year old, with the parents hoping to watch over their children as they studied in the living room until they were in the first years of elementary school. The parents could not predict how their family would change, however, so no extension was built initially. An annex was planned in the middle years of elementary school, in response to increasing homework and to give their son and daughter some space of their own.
This plan called for a children’s room built using the skeleton of an existing garage next to the house, with the new room connected to the main building. Future expansion was anticipated when the house was first built, and a couple of buffer zones included for this purpose were used as initially intended.

A highlight is the rooms-within-a-room arrangement. Alcoves provide space for each bed in what seems like separate rooms, although they are actually part of the annex. These are cozy, relaxing nooks that are fun to sleep in.
Practicalities were also addressed in design. Ventilation is good, with efficient air conditioning, and the room has ample natural light. Beds can be made easily, and the parents can carry their children straight to bed.
Mirroring the alcove beds are the open closets, which lend coherence to the annex.
The color scheme may seem fitting for a children’s room, but in fact, this palette was carefully chosen to appeal to adults as well.
One day, the parents plan to use each space as their own study after their children have grown up and made homes of their own.