Construction Diary: How a Music Producer Remixed His Childhood Home in Michigan
Detroit's End Studio revised the midcentury ranch house by raising the ceiling, knocking down walls, and bringing in lots of storage for books and records.
Detroit's End Studio revised the midcentury ranch house by raising the ceiling, knocking down walls, and bringing in lots of storage for books and records.
When Chris Peters and Mary Angott commissioned architect Elise DeChard of Detroit’s End Studio renovate their residence in West Bloomfield, Michigan it represented a full-circle moment—and a new chapter.
Chris had grown up here playing baseball in the large backyard (afforded by the double-sized lot) and riding BMX bikes with friends to the nearby lake and canal. Now, as a musician, songwriter, and producer (he’s worked with Black Eyed Peas, Girls Aloud, and Kid Rock), he dreamed of space to store and play his extensive record collection.
Before: Exterior
Before: For Chris Peters, the chance to purchase and move into his family’s longtime home was a special opportunity, given not only his memories there but also its wooded site and proximity to a nearby lake and canal.
Photo courtesy of End Studio
After: Exterior
Although the roof structure was rebuilt to incorporate a new vaulted ceiling in the living room, the exterior is still much the same, save for a new coat of paint.
Photo: John D'Angelo
The house also marked the first time that Chris and Mary would be living together, so it had to fit her tastes and lifestyle as well as his—not to mention their two cats, Casper and Cosmo.
Built in the early 1950s, it was a classic midcentury with a brick facade, wood interior floors, a brick fireplace, and views out to a picturesque wooded setting. But like many houses of its era, it lacked openness and natural light. End Studio sought to strike a careful balance, embracing the home’s heritage while transforming it for contemporary living.
Before: Living Area
Before: As seen in this panoramic photo, the kitchen was separated from the living room by a wall.
Photo courtesy of End Studio
See the full story on Dwell.com: Construction Diary: How a Music Producer Remixed His Childhood Home in Michigan
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