Whitehill Residence by KEM Studio

ByJon Dykstra Houses

The Whitehill Residence is a single family conversion of an existing 1960’s duplex on the historic street of Janssen Place in Kansas City, MO.

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Designed by: KEM Studio

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The fundamental dilemma, how do you build for today in an historic district?

The Whitehill Residence is a single family conversion of an existing 1960’s duplex on the historic street of Janssen Place in Kansas City, MO.

Rather than mimicking the old neighborhood we chose to reflect the modern, essential lifestyle of the family.

Our approach was to respect the historic context of the street through the use of natural materials and scale relationships, as well as embrace the beautiful, private nature of the street allowing for the house to “open up”.

A sustainable approach to window placement and overhang design maximizes seasonal efficiency while creating extended views.

The interior is stripped to essential core elements, dedicating most of the house to communal family spaces and minimizing the size of private rooms with built-in millwork storage.

The new living room is light and airy. The main point of the space is a hearth coated in concrete tile from Sadlerstone, a material that appears throughout the building.
The new living room is light and airy. The main point of the space is a hearth coated in concrete tile from Sadlerstone, a material that appears throughout the building.
A reading area with unique powder-blue sliding doors on a Henderson track leads to the children's rooms.
A reading area with unique powder-blue sliding doors on a Henderson track leads to the children’s rooms.
A bright reading room with open powder-blue book shelves brimming with volumes.
A bright reading room with open powder-blue book shelves brimming with volumes.
Paperstone countertops and custom cabinets outfit the kitchen.
Paperstone countertops and custom cabinets outfit the kitchen.
A fireplace-equipped bedroom with dark wood flooring, white walls and ceiling, and built-in millwork storage.
A fireplace-equipped bedroom with dark wood flooring, white walls and ceiling, and built-in millwork storage.
A bathroom with a counter-topped sink, a full-width vanity, and floating cabinets.
A bathroom with a counter-topped sink, a full-width vanity, and floating cabinets.
Bright paint in the bathroom contrasts with the white in the living room. A transom allows natural light into the room.
Bright paint in the bathroom contrasts with the white in the living room. A transom allows natural light into the room.
The newly renovated Whitehill residence with a sustainable approach to window placement and overhang design maximizes seasonal efficiency while creating extended views.
The newly renovated Whitehill residence with a sustainable approach to window placement and overhang design maximizes seasonal efficiency while creating extended views.

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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