David Osler Whole Home Restoration | Giraffe Design Build

Located in the northside of Ann Arbor, this project features a full renovation of the Kumasaka Residence, originally designed in 1971 by Ann Arbor architect David Osler. The renovation was undertaken as a year-long effort to modernize the home while preserving Osler’s design and contributing to the ongoing stewardship of Ann Arbor’s legacy of regional modernism.

In the living room, a niche originally designed for a tea ceremony was reimagined as a built-in seating area with a wood slat ceiling that echoes a similar detail in the dining room. A concealed bar—deliberately designed in quiet contrast to the original millwork—was integrated within the existing cabinetry.

Much of the original layout, casework, interior doors, and trim were retained, maintaining the character and authenticity of the house.

"To be confident in the evaluation of the solution – to be merciless in self-criticism – to be continually struggling for improvement seems to me to be what it's all about."

David Osler