El Monte Residence, Overland Park, Kansas, USA

El Monte Residence Overland Park, Kansas house design, KS real estate photos, modern USA property

El Monte Residence in Overland Park, Kansas

May 20, 2026

Architecture: FORWARD Design

Location: Overland Park, Kansas City, Kansas, USA

Photos: Bob Greenspan Photography

El Monte Residence, Overland Park, Kansas City, USA

The El Monte Residence project was for the remodel of a 1961 ranch home. The existing ground floor spaces were choppy, isolated, and not functional. The basement stairs in the center of the existing house were steep and isolated the kitchen from the living spaces.

Earlier remodels had tried to open the plan, but did little more than make the existing kitchen functionally deficient. The clients desired a more open floor plan to unify and create a contemporary aesthetic throughout the kitchen, dining room, and living space. Another major program requirement was a new office space and mudroom.

Project Challenges:

The existing residence does not have a large ground floor footprint, yet the clients desired two additional program elements from the existing one. Another major challenge was how to move the basement staircase, while providing a seamless transition from the updated ground floor, to the existing basement condition.

Project Solutions:

The stair was relocated parallel to the front wall of the house. We then were able to place all the service program along this edge. The entry, top of stairs, and integrated dining area are on one end, with the office and mud room at the other. The Kitchen and living are conceived as one open living space.

The mudroom is separated from the kitchen by an oversized door. This allows for a direct connection, with the ability to close off the area when entertaining. The dining room is conceived as a space within a space. It has integral banquet seating and a lowered ceiling for a more intimate experience. Spatially it exists independently but is continuously linked with the rest of the living spaces