Jennenss Rd
Status: Completed - 2022
Team: FDA (Architect), Bonghwan Kim (Structural Engineer), Roug (Millwork), S K Builders (G.C.)
Location: Brookline, MA
Project Type: Residential, Renovation
Photographer: Ryan Mahue
The existing bathroom was split into two separate bathrooms. Located near the top of Corey Hill in Brookline, most of the windows capture beautiful, distant views over Brookline and Brighton, the neighboring town. The original single bathroom, situated on the second floor, was reconfigured into two, with the attic space above utilized not only to raise the ceiling but also to introduce sky views.
Traditionally, balustrades are supported by railings, which are in turn supported by posts. Can each balustrade have structural properties without railings, and can they collectively function as a durable railing?
Reconfiguring the children's bathroom floor required replacing the existing stair railing. While plywood is a structurally efficient and readily available material, its use in railing applications is uncommon. The final design features vertical plywood fins that visually connect the lower and upper levels rather than acting as a barrier. This solution was the result of a careful study of traditional stair carpentry details and close collaboration with a structural engineer.
Second Floor Plan
The new layout created two narrow bathrooms—one for the parents and one for the children. The children’s bathroom was further divided into three functional zones—toilet, sink, and shower—allowing up to three children to use the space simultaneously. Mirror surfaces were extensively incorporated to enhance the sense of space and amplify natural light. In the children’s bathroom, a strategically placed mirror doubles the sky views when seen from a child's eye level.
