Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Services: Construction

Design: Sophie Yan

Photography: KB Photography Interiors

Video: InMotion Studios

This mid-century gem in Ann Arbor Hills was originally designed by local modernist architect and UM professor George Brigham. It was built in 1950 for Professor Leslie White, a well-known anthropologist, and his wife Mary. The interior has been kept in great shape and even earned a 2024 Preservation Award from the city of Ann Arbor.

One area that really needed an update was the kitchen. The main goal was to make the layout more functional with better storage and workspace, all while respecting the house’s historic feel and making it fit for today — no easy task.

We expanded the kitchen into a nearby breakfast nook adding a full-height pantry, beverage station, appliance garage, plenty of storage, a modern range, and a big peninsula with a large kitchen sink. The design balances respecting the home’s historic details by integrating some of the existing features, while updating certain elements to add practicality and bring the space into the 21st century.