South 2nd

South 2nd is a 900 SF addition to an existing single-story American ranch house. The addition contains home offices on the ground floor and a new bedroom and bathroom suite on the 2nd floor. It is connected to the existing house through a link adjacent to the existing fireplace. The addition is a surprising vertical moment within the flat urban sprawl of this 1960's American suburb. The building's tiny footprint conserves yard space. The roof is topped with a linear clerestory structure that runs the length of the house from back to front. This clerestory brings diffused natural light into the 2nd floor bathroom and bedroom. The ceiling of the 2nd floor appears to be pulled back revealing the wood roof joists supporting the roof. The clerestory is pulled through to either end of the building further emphasizing the additions verticality. The clerestory, a functional element designed to bring light to second floor rooms, also creates a unique profile on the end elevations. The building appears as a pensive figure standing in the suburban yard peering out over the fence that contains it.