I was asked to redesign the kitchen
wing of a Cape Cod-style house and
to add an elevator for a disabled
occupant. The plan hasn't yet been
built, but it is a good example of
how three simple design ideas —
moving a wall back, changing a
stairwell, and installing a skylight
— can open up a cramped space.
The house is T-shaped, with the
kitchen wing extending perpendicularly
back from the main section.
At the intersection is an entry
hall, featuring a small U-shaped
stair, two closets, and a half bath
(see illustration). To the right is
the dining room, to the left the
living room with a chain of rooms
beyond. Directly opposite the front
door is