A retired Japanese Literature professor from Harvard and wife, a Japanese Ceramic artist, moved home after decades to realize it is now viewed as a ‘tear down’ on a street where in the last few years most everything has been demolished and replaced with mega mansions. Being two environmentally sensitive people, this couple did not require the huge spaces of a mansion but did want to stay in their home and have it fit in with the neighborhood. So we decided to remodel the existing. In doing so, we kept most of the existing structure and dramatically changed the look by adding a much safer and inviting porch and adding height with a stargazing loft. This loft gained the residence a view of the Cascades and Mt Rainier. Light filters from the loft into the center of the house. Japanese tradition blended with modern craftsmanship into the Stairwell, Master Suite, and Entry.