These things usually end up in the back somewhere, but we like our new backyard, and the main house really spills out in that direction, so we’re looking at wedging something into the side yard instead. The spark came from my kids’ wooden block toy.

We’ll keep the magnolia tree and start with the biggest volume otherwise available by right, then sculpt it to carve out more useable space in the yard; the entry side resolves itself neatly into a child’s image of a house. While the footprint may end up being small, the space inside is tall and skylit, almost cathedral-like, and the old shed, which we’re keeping, can be refurbished into a laundry room and storage.