Transforming this 1960s ranch house into a clean contemporary space was a close collaboration with the client, one of Houston’s leading chefs and restaurateurs. As a result, the heart of the project lies in the rejuvenated kitchen, where a new curved ceiling expands the volume of the space and opens it to abundant natural light. The owner’s collection of mid-century furniture and modern art also influenced the new interior spaces, as did the lifestyle of the family of three. While other houses in the neighborhood are being torn down and replaced by maximum footprint homes, this house keeps its slightly hidden and modest profile at the end of a cul-de-sac. An exceptional live oak on the site was preserved, requiring the renovation to limit the impact on its surrounding and re-use most of the existing structure. This sustainable approach created a house that, although much smaller than its newer neighbors, is rich in spatial variety.