The Van Valkenberg Residence presented a nuanced design challenge: creating a large, gracious private home that remains sensitive to the scale and character of its established neighborhood. Rather than asserting itself through size or ostentation, the design draws its presence from proportion, materiality, and contextual awareness, fitting comfortably among the surrounding homes while quietly exceeding them in craft and livability.

 

An additional layer of intentionality shaped the program from the outset. The residence was designed to serve a dual purpose, functioning as both a private family home and a welcoming gathering space for the urban church located across the street, a balance that informed the layout, flow, and flexibility of the communal spaces throughout.

 

The program is comprehensive, spanning two stories over a full basement and organized around the needs of both everyday family life and larger group gatherings. The main level features a generous kitchen with a central island, while the lower level includes a kitchenette anchoring the family and game rooms, each zone thoughtfully connected yet distinct. Four bedrooms, a primary suite, four and a half baths, and a three-stall garage address the full scope of residential need, complemented by dedicated spaces for work and exercise. A lift serving all three levels ensures the home is accessible and welcoming to all.