From her beginnings as a furniture designer specializing in wood and steel, Christi Azevedo, founder of San Fran-based firm Azevedo Design, stayed true to her form in creating this tiny, industrial style brick house, where wood and steel are stars in their own right. The industrial-style guest house doesn’t stray far from its roots as a laundry boiler room. Even in its modern design, it still has a commercial air about it. The small, yet smart, main floor measures just 93 sq. ft. and hosts a kitchen, a living room complete with couch and coffee / dining table, and fold-out cushions for a lounge chair on the stair landing. A ladder leads past the kitchen to the upper level loft that houses a dressing area, bathroom and across a small glass platform, the bedroom. Fully functional and fully fabulous – what more could a guest ask for?
The exterior of the guest house is a shabby-chic brick, boasting all those little imperfections that remind us of the authenticity and history of the structure. A large arching doorway and window add light, air and visual space to the tiny interior.
A laundry sink is tucked under the exterior staircase – a forgotten remnant of the past, or a deliberately displayed artifact?
Inside is where small meets efficient; where past meets present; where rough meets refined. The characteristic brick facade works its way indoors with bare brick walls, complemented by polished concrete underfoot, and exposed wood and steel beams running overhead.
The main floor features everything you need for a few days stay. The small but sweet living and dining area is compact without compromising comfort. A contemporary style kitchen is finished with clean white cabinets that work wonders to bounce light around the space. The upper cabinets feature frosted glass doors, offering a lighter look that further helps to visually open up the space. The high ceiling makes up for the lack of horizontal square footage.
A ladder leads up to an opening in the ceiling – both smart elements of design that add visual size to the space. The ladder leaves sight lines open through the living area and kitchen, while the opening in the ceiling lets light flow freely and eyes travel upward unimpeded.
Upstairs, a four-ft. bathroom is the picture of efficiency, outfitted with all the essentials: a wall-mounted toilet, custom stainless steel medicine cabinet, a small sink supplied by a shower valve, and floor drain for showering.
A glass bridge stretches across from the bathroom platform to the bedroom (or rather, “bedloft”) without blocking out light or sight lines. The sleeping area, though small, has it all – a common theme throughout the guest house. A queen-sized mattress, hinged headboards concealing storage space, bookshelves and bedside lamps are all within easy reach.
Azevedo Design
photo credit: Cesar Rubio
