After the basement of the original building caught fire, the fire spread and destroyed most of the building. The architect considered the appropriate method of dealing with damaged structures. We did not choose to completely demolish, but opted for a strategy of starting with a partial demolition from the attic and then expanding. This allows much of the building's structure to be reused, shortening construction time, and preserving decades of growing gardens and their beautiful trees and plants.

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The new wood frame structure on the upper level is located on the exterior wall and spans the entire width of the house. This allows the new layout to act independently of the existing bearing wall at the bottom. Sturdy wooden beams become the defining element of the space and form a grid of nine rooms, which are connected and divided by large sliding doors. Existing spiral staircases are exposed and given new meaning due to the open floor plan.

The dense green plant ring marks the transition between the existing ground floor and the new building on the upper level. It can also serve as a structural sunshade for the bottom layer, while promoting biodiversity. Another garden is located on the roof, where there is an elevated photovoltaic system that can form a richly planted green roof and provide cooling effects for the house.

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