Ruth Hiller Residence
The client, Ruth Hiller, a fine arts painter and corrective exercise specialist, purchased a 1950's single storey home located in Winter Park, Colorado.
Ruth, a single woman, approached Michael P. Johnson Design Studios Ltd. with the challenge to remodel this poorly designed building in a manner within a minimalist design ethic.
With little to work with it was suggested that the existing residence be removed and relocated elsewhere. Working with the existing basement foundation a two storey solution allowed the living, dining, and kitchen to fly above the dense evergreen forest. The lower level contains two master bedroom suites, entry and a commons room. The basement was designated for use as a painting studio with natural light borrowed by the use of light wells located on the west elevation.
A 44.5 cm. X 44.5 cm. full body porcelain tile was selected for its beauty and durability for the entire lower level. The use of a single tile color unifies the total space allowing the free flow from room to room.
The use of porcelain tile in my projects is not of a decorative nature but as a building material. I use large format tile to function as a platform for the modern furniture and art work prevalent in all of my work.
