House of Questions - Page 2

I would consider a master bedroom on the second floor. I would not consider three bedrooms on the second floor.

But how do you make an addition look natural in a neighborhood of single-story homes, where houses are also relatively the same size?

Smollen: I'd say it's always best to have it [on the ground-floor level and] in the back of the house. If you're going to change the front of an Eichler, it becomes much more difficult. It looks chunky, it shortens the lines.

I don't particularly like to hear when people want to have second-floor additions. It just complicates a lot of things. I think I've seen it done well a couple of times, but generally speaking, I try to talk people out of going up if they can help it with Eichlers. It's just with modernist homes in general, it's always best to have it low and long. It's all in keeping with the modernist design spirit. Trying to explain that is sometimes difficult.

I don't think one needs to know who designed their car, but if you're going to change the design of your car, you should be working with people who do know. You don't have to know [about design] yourself, but just [know] someone who does understand the principles. You wouldn't disturb [auto designer Carroll] Shelby's lines on his Cobras, change the body. Same sort of thing here—you know what I'm saying? Don't mess with a classic.

I've actually walked away from people who wanted to do additions that I didn't approve of. They can find someone else if they want to, you know? I don't want to be the one responsible for changing the character of the neighborhood.