Beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers peaceful living on a generous wooded lot. Light-filled interior features an open concept living area with vaulted ceilings in beautiful family room with built-ins and looks into the kitchen area and the private backyard area also has adjacent bathroom. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, and large windows showcasing the natural wooded views. The stylish kitchen boasts warm wood oak cabinetry, lots of countertops, stainless appliances, and connects seamlessly to the dining area and breakfast bar connects to the family room. A cozy living room with wood-burning fireplace and built-in shelving and newly refinished hardwood floors provides the perfect retreat. The spacious primary bedroom features refinished hardwood floors, ample natural light, while two additional bedrooms offer versatile space and feature newly refinished hardwood floors. Additional highlights include an inviting screened porch, attached one-car garage, updated bathrooms with modern fixtures, a private backyard with established landscaping and a fire pit area. The huge lower level is ready for further expansion! Located minutes from town amenities while maintaining a private, natural setting surrounded by nature. 2 minutes to Hopewell School! This is a great location for getting anywhere in Glastonbury. Home has updated 200 amp service, Cair and septic leaching fields are new

Buying term papers from academic writing services and freelance writers is becoming a popular deal. Therefore, former and current professors are entering this industry to write papers for money more and more often. Such services as CourseworkService.com are becoming popular among students all over the world. An interesting fact is that they hire not only former graduates but also out-of-work academics. When professors find a compromise about cheating Jennifer Sunseri, a former assistant professor, lost her job in 2009. She has been looking for a job for almost three years. At long last, she had abandoned all hope of finding a new job and started working as an academic writing service creating papers for college students. Jenifer says, “I realize that it is legal, but highly unethical especially regarding the fact that I am a former professor. For me this is an equivalent of prostitution. But I have been living in a tight situation for years without an opportunity to visit a doctor or pay my bills. I am 53, and I have no kids to help me when I am out-of-work.” She has been a tutor in Texas Tech since 1998, where she established a Slavic folklore course. Jenifer didn’t have any publications during her working years at Texas Tech, so when the time has come to apply for a venture, she realized that she has no chances and left. She moved to her sister and her mom and now she is living in her studio apartment with her two cats. Sunseri was worried when she lost her job even though she has master’s degrees in Slavic linguistics and technical communications. “I thought that my educator’s and writer’s skills will be useful,” she said. “However, I was shocked at the quantity of applications for an instructor at the local college, as well as for the office manager, or an adjunct at the local institution. Even an effort to apply for a substitute teacher failed. I cannot believe that those who have academic background, experience and a degree are in less demand than those have not.” When Ph.D. and master’s degrees lose their magical power, people with academic background have no choice but to start their term paper writing career. Once professors become unemployed, one may say that they feel themselves like high school graduates looking for a part-time job. However, you will be surprised, but according to statistics sometimes those with high school or college diplomas are more welcome than people with higher education. The reason is that a lot of new job places in America were created at times of economic recovery and, therefore, they are low-paying and require specialists with lower skills. It turns to be that it is much easier to learn a less-educated worker and train him/her in a particular way suitable for a certain company or service than to teach a higher-educated worker all over again. In addition, higher educated job candidates are more selective about their choice. How to become a ghostwriter if you have been punishing others for paper cheating Jenifer was not fastidious. She was looking for a job that would correspond her skills and finally decided to try herself as an online editor. While searching for an editing job, she ran against term paper writing service. This company asked her to send examples of her works and complete a test task. She has been accepted as a ghostwriter. In fact, term paper writing services gladly accept people with higher education and offer them to write papers of all kinds for money. Jenifer says that her first assignments for sale included a 5-page paper on public debt, 10-page paper on linguistics, and an editing work of someone else’s 20-page paper. All these assignments brought her about $150. Jenifer reports that it is possible to turn a useful penny by writing academic papers. Jenifer realized that ghostwriting is a good source of income after she read an article about an anonymous academic writer who earned almost $70,000 a year writing papers for high school and college students. “Currently this business becomes more and more popular. During finals and midterms, we have a lot of work to do since there are a lot of students ready to pay for a custom paper and submit it as their own,” he says. “It is no wonder that students use writing services. I have seen a lot of their writings, and I realize why they are so desperate about writing their assignments. Some of them are unable to compose a grocery list without additional help. They really need it. We help them pass a course, that’s all.” Jenifer says that this work helped her be on form and develop her core skills like writing and researching all the time. She was unemployed for a long time and was afraid that her skills might become lower due to a lack of practice. However, at a writing company she never stops practicing. She claims that this is a hard work mostly because you have to be meet urgent deadlines. The other challenge was a paper that she couldn’t complete once. The problem was not in a lack of competency, but in ethics. She discovered that it was an order for a student from her former place of work, Tech University. She says that she felt weird about completing this work and refused to write it. “I became angry when I realized that I am going to serve a kid who is partying in Florida, while being a former faculty member of the university he is attending.” Currently, Jenifer is working as a Russian translator. However, she is not abandoning academic writing industry even though she feels a little awkward about helping students to cheat. It is not that bad that unemployable professors have an opportunity to earn for living being ghostwriters even though it is not very ethical. Ironically, a place of work like academic writing company that makes out-of-job educators feel that they are performing a crime assisting students in cheating seems to be the only place in the job market that values their experience in the sphere of education.

Nestled amidst a neighborhood of single story bungalows in Venice, California, the Solar Umbrella Residence boldly establishes a precedent for the next generation of California modernist architecture. Located on a 41’ wide x 100’-0” long through lot, the Solar Umbrella addition transforms the architects’ existing 650 square foot bungalow into a 1900 square foot residence equipped for responsible living in the twenty-first century. Inspired by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy—a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, which accommodates the couple and their one child chose to integrate into the design, principles of sustainability that they strive to achieve in their own practice. The architects carefully considered the entire site, taking advantage of as many opportunities for sustainable living as possible. Passive and active solar design strategies render the residence 100% energy neutral. Recycled, renewable, and high performance materials and products are specified throughout. Hardscape and landscape treatments are considered for their aesthetic and actual impact on the land. The Brooks Scarpa Residence elegantly crafts each of these strategies and materials, exploiting the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience.

Rear patio area, second floor deck with wisteria climbing toward stainless steel vine stays, additional plantings along flank of stairs that are still young.

The project involved substantial alterations and additions to an existing Split Level style residence. The additions included an inviting Front Portico, sizeable Kitchen, Great Room, and rear Porch on the main floor, and a Master Suite on the upper level. As part of the renovation the Entrance Hall was made into an two-storey space, and various rooms were reconfigured on the main floor to create a Study Room for the family’s two sons, a large Walk-in Pantry, and a Mud Room. Important prerequisites established by the Clients were that we design comfortable, livable rooms, avoid superfluous spaces, and make sure that the Great Room was filled with natural light. Finally, a cozy Porch to enjoy “cafecitos” and “la tertulia” were a must. The construction was completed in nine months, and the project is a success by every metric of the Clients’ goals for their home transformation.

Beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers peaceful living on a generous wooded lot. Light-filled interior features an open concept living area with vaulted ceilings in beautiful family room with built-ins and looks into the kitchen area and the private backyard area also has adjacent bathroom. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, and large windows showcasing the natural wooded views. The stylish kitchen boasts warm wood oak cabinetry, lots of countertops, stainless appliances, and connects seamlessly to the dining area and breakfast bar connects to the family room. A cozy living room with wood-burning fireplace and built-in shelving and newly refinished hardwood floors provides the perfect retreat. The spacious primary bedroom features refinished hardwood floors, ample natural light, while two additional bedrooms offer versatile space and feature newly refinished hardwood floors. Additional highlights include an inviting screened porch, attached one-car garage, updated bathrooms with modern fixtures, a private backyard with established landscaping and a fire pit area. The huge lower level is ready for further expansion! Located minutes from town amenities while maintaining a private, natural setting surrounded by nature. 2 minutes to Hopewell School! This is a great location for getting anywhere in Glastonbury. Home has updated 200 amp service, Cair and septic leaching fields are new

Beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers peaceful living on a generous wooded lot. Light-filled interior features an open concept living area with vaulted ceilings in beautiful family room with built-ins and looks into the kitchen area and the private backyard area also has adjacent bathroom. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, and large windows showcasing the natural wooded views. The stylish kitchen boasts warm wood oak cabinetry, lots of countertops, stainless appliances, and connects seamlessly to the dining area and breakfast bar connects to the family room. A cozy living room with wood-burning fireplace and built-in shelving and newly refinished hardwood floors provides the perfect retreat. The spacious primary bedroom features refinished hardwood floors, ample natural light, while two additional bedrooms offer versatile space and feature newly refinished hardwood floors. Additional highlights include an inviting screened porch, attached one-car garage, updated bathrooms with modern fixtures, a private backyard with established landscaping and a fire pit area. The huge lower level is ready for further expansion! Located minutes from town amenities while maintaining a private, natural setting surrounded by nature. 2 minutes to Hopewell School! This is a great location for getting anywhere in Glastonbury. Home has updated 200 amp service, Cair and septic leaching fields are new

Nestled amidst a neighborhood of single story bungalows in Venice, California, the Solar Umbrella Residence boldly establishes a precedent for the next generation of California modernist architecture. Located on a 41’ wide x 100’-0” long through lot, the Solar Umbrella addition transforms the architects’ existing 650 square foot bungalow into a 1900 square foot residence equipped for responsible living in the twenty-first century. Inspired by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy—a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, which accommodates the couple and their one child chose to integrate into the design, principles of sustainability that they strive to achieve in their own practice. The architects carefully considered the entire site, taking advantage of as many opportunities for sustainable living as possible. Passive and active solar design strategies render the residence 100% energy neutral. Recycled, renewable, and high performance materials and products are specified throughout. Hardscape and landscape treatments are considered for their aesthetic and actual impact on the land. The Brooks Scarpa Residence elegantly crafts each of these strategies and materials, exploiting the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience.

THE SETUP Sam’s client had lived in her downtown townhome home for less than a year when she decided to remodel the spacious second level. This open area consisted of three sections: a TV and fireplace zone, a sparsely furnished dining area, and a dominant central kitchen. The kitchen featured a long back wall with three segmented sections and a massive island housing the cooktop. She found the kitchen’s functionality lacking and its presence overwhelming – it dominated the entire floor, regardless of where you stood. Design objectives: - Reconfigure key kitchen elements (sink, cooktop, oven) while minimizing the kitchen’s visual impact - Optimize the kitchen’s back wall, eliminating existing dead space - Create a purposeful, well-defined dining area - Establish a distinct, comfortable living area - Reuse existing appliances and flooring - Maintain an overall modern design aesthetic THE REMODEL Design challenges to be solved: - Redesign the island to reduce its overwhelming presence - Create a comfortable, dedicated living room within the available space - Establish a distinct, inviting dining area within spatial constraints - Enhance kitchen functionality and style without dominating the entire floor THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: - Sam created raised end caps for the island. This separated the kitchen from adjacent living and dining areas while focusing the kitchen’s functionality. The new sink location offers ample workspace, allowing the cook to interact with guests seated at the island. The redesigned island also provides additional storage. - For the living area, Sam opted for a functional-yet-minimalist approach. Large-format tile creates a natural stone look for the fireplace and TV wall. The recessed TV and extended fireplace shelf maintain a sleek profile. - Artistic wallpaper adds depth and texture, while the intentional lack of extensive shelving keeps the space open and distinct. - Sam transformed the dining area’s blank wall into a feature, adding a unique dry bar with counter space, open shelves, cabinet storage and a beverage fridge. - - - Wallpaper behind and above the bar contributes to the area’s personality. A mirror adds depth while pendant lights add style and visual interest. Relocating the cooktop to the back wall facilitates hidden ventilation, reducing visual clutter. Sam balanced transitional and modern elements for a contemporary yet comfortable feel. The digital control panel on the convection cooktop maintains a sleek look, while the wall oven is now at an easy-to-use height. ----- Mirrored base cabinet fronts and a paneled fridge prevent cabinetry monotony. The redesign has delighted Sam’s client, achieving her main goal of creating a more inviting and visually appealing space. Each section now has its own visual personality and functionality while harmonizing within a monochromatic palette. The entire floor offers wow-factor pop upon first glance, with each area maintaining its distinct character while contributing to a cohesive, modern aesthetic.

Beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers peaceful living on a generous wooded lot. Light-filled interior features an open concept living area with vaulted ceilings in beautiful family room with built-ins and looks into the kitchen area and the private backyard area also has adjacent bathroom. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, and large windows showcasing the natural wooded views. The stylish kitchen boasts warm wood oak cabinetry, lots of countertops, stainless appliances, and connects seamlessly to the dining area and breakfast bar connects to the family room. A cozy living room with wood-burning fireplace and built-in shelving and newly refinished hardwood floors provides the perfect retreat. The spacious primary bedroom features refinished hardwood floors, ample natural light, while two additional bedrooms offer versatile space and feature newly refinished hardwood floors. Additional highlights include an inviting screened porch, attached one-car garage, updated bathrooms with modern fixtures, a private backyard with established landscaping and a fire pit area. The huge lower level is ready for further expansion! Located minutes from town amenities while maintaining a private, natural setting surrounded by nature. 2 minutes to Hopewell School! This is a great location for getting anywhere in Glastonbury. Home has updated 200 amp service, Cair and septic leaching fields are new

Joseph Eichler developed his moderately priced houses for the mass-market starting in 1949. His homes were designed using affordable materials and simple construction techniques. Nearly 70 years later these homes are in need of updating and remodeling an Eichler home today can become an imposing and costly project if you’re not careful. For this project the clients, who had undergone several previous house renovations, were determined to stick with an established budget from the beginning. Klopf Architecture helped them modernize their Eichler with a premium appearance on a reasonable budget. The clients challenged the Klopf team to create a design that had a high-end feel and nicely done while adhering to their budget. That meant not all of the initial project scope could be built. Like many other Eichler homes, the original floor plan did not meet the family’s needs leaving them feeling disconnected from one room to another. While an early goal was to expand the house into a carport and create a larger garage, it did not survive the contractor pricing phase of the project. The goals that did survive through to the end of the project included blurring some of the boundaries and opening up some of the spaces, making them more functional and creating a smoother flow in the house. The Klopf team joined the former separate kitchen and formal living room into one large space and shift the dining room where it is now connected to the kitchen. Klopf swapped the family room to the front alongside the living room, so the spaces feel more cohesive and are now better suited for family activities. The functional layout of the master bathroom was changed to include a large, curbless shower. Installing a complete IKEA kitchen including cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and furnishings was key to staying within budget. Bath fixtures in this house are also exclusively IKEA. Klopf Architecture has designed many homes using IKEA products, which are quite compatible offering an affordable, contemporary take on Eichler homes. The clients saved additional money from the simplicity and availability of IKEA products and by orchestrating the orders and purchases themselves. Following each construction meeting, the clients would make a run to IKEA and purchase items, pick up needed spare parts, and bring them back right away to stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule and minimize the chance of delays and bottlenecks. Klopf balanced material selections by retaining some of the original woodwork and simply refinishing the mahogany paneling. They were able to retain the original windows and sliding doors which were still in good shape, avoiding some of the most costly replacement expenses. Additionally interior doors were simply refinished and the exterior siding cleaned up and repainted. Formerly dark interiors are now illuminated with new slimmer semi-recessed lighting eliminating the need for costly roof work. Attention to design details allowed the Klopf team to ensure the house ended up with a high quality feel. Key visual elements were strictly aligned and Klopf worked with the clients to select a unified materials palette throughout the spaces so the house flows seamlessly together. Aligning the tile layout with the trusses and keeping it level with the concrete slab outside allowed them to achieve a level of quality that may otherwise be missed. The clients were able to keep their budget on track by determining clear goals and making critical decisions upfront, choosing materials and furnishings wisely, working with the right design and construction teams in place and to a large part, their willingness to participate throughout the process. In the end the clients were much happier with their reconfigured Eichler home and Klopf Architecture managed to keep their remodeling costs to about $325/sf – a good amount below the average Bay Area Eichler remodel. Project Team: John Klopf, Angela Todorova, Sherry Tan Contractor: Keycon Construction Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Photography: Sabrina Huang Year Completed: 2020

THE SETUP Sam’s client had lived in her downtown townhome home for less than a year when she decided to remodel the spacious second level. This open area consisted of three sections: a TV and fireplace zone, a sparsely furnished dining area, and a dominant central kitchen. The kitchen featured a long back wall with three segmented sections and a massive island housing the cooktop. She found the kitchen’s functionality lacking and its presence overwhelming – it dominated the entire floor, regardless of where you stood. Design objectives: - Reconfigure key kitchen elements (sink, cooktop, oven) while minimizing the kitchen’s visual impact - Optimize the kitchen’s back wall, eliminating existing dead space - Create a purposeful, well-defined dining area - Establish a distinct, comfortable living area - Reuse existing appliances and flooring - Maintain an overall modern design aesthetic THE REMODEL Design challenges to be solved: - Redesign the island to reduce its overwhelming presence - Create a comfortable, dedicated living room within the available space - Establish a distinct, inviting dining area within spatial constraints - Enhance kitchen functionality and style without dominating the entire floor THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: - Sam created raised end caps for the island. This separated the kitchen from adjacent living and dining areas while focusing the kitchen’s functionality. The new sink location offers ample workspace, allowing the cook to interact with guests seated at the island. The redesigned island also provides additional storage. - For the living area, Sam opted for a functional-yet-minimalist approach. Large-format tile creates a natural stone look for the fireplace and TV wall. The recessed TV and extended fireplace shelf maintain a sleek profile. - Artistic wallpaper adds depth and texture, while the intentional lack of extensive shelving keeps the space open and distinct. - Sam transformed the dining area’s blank wall into a feature, adding a unique dry bar with counter space, open shelves, cabinet storage and a beverage fridge. - - - Wallpaper behind and above the bar contributes to the area’s personality. A mirror adds depth while pendant lights add style and visual interest. Relocating the cooktop to the back wall facilitates hidden ventilation, reducing visual clutter. Sam balanced transitional and modern elements for a contemporary yet comfortable feel. The digital control panel on the convection cooktop maintains a sleek look, while the wall oven is now at an easy-to-use height. ----- Mirrored base cabinet fronts and a paneled fridge prevent cabinetry monotony. The redesign has delighted Sam’s client, achieving her main goal of creating a more inviting and visually appealing space. Each section now has its own visual personality and functionality while harmonizing within a monochromatic palette. The entire floor offers wow-factor pop upon first glance, with each area maintaining its distinct character while contributing to a cohesive, modern aesthetic.

The project involved substantial alterations and additions to an existing Split Level style residence. The additions included an inviting Front Portico, sizeable Kitchen, Great Room, and rear Porch on the main floor, and a Master Suite on the upper level. As part of the renovation the Entrance Hall was made into an two-storey space, and various rooms were reconfigured on the main floor to create a Study Room for the family’s two sons, a large Walk-in Pantry, and a Mud Room. Important prerequisites established by the Clients were that we design comfortable, livable rooms, avoid superfluous spaces, and make sure that the Great Room was filled with natural light. Finally, a cozy Porch to enjoy “cafecitos” and “la tertulia” were a must. The construction was completed in nine months, and the project is a success by every metric of the Clients’ goals for their home transformation.

Photo: Joshua Mayer, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic
Design ideas for a landscaping in Other.

Beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers peaceful living on a generous wooded lot. Light-filled interior features an open concept living area with vaulted ceilings in beautiful family room with built-ins and looks into the kitchen area and the private backyard area also has adjacent bathroom. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, and large windows showcasing the natural wooded views. The stylish kitchen boasts warm wood oak cabinetry, lots of countertops, stainless appliances, and connects seamlessly to the dining area and breakfast bar connects to the family room. A cozy living room with wood-burning fireplace and built-in shelving and newly refinished hardwood floors provides the perfect retreat. The spacious primary bedroom features refinished hardwood floors, ample natural light, while two additional bedrooms offer versatile space and feature newly refinished hardwood floors. Additional highlights include an inviting screened porch, attached one-car garage, updated bathrooms with modern fixtures, a private backyard with established landscaping and a fire pit area. The huge lower level is ready for further expansion! Located minutes from town amenities while maintaining a private, natural setting surrounded by nature. 2 minutes to Hopewell School! This is a great location for getting anywhere in Glastonbury. Home has updated 200 amp service, Cair and septic leaching fields are new

THE SETUP Sam’s client had lived in her downtown townhome home for less than a year when she decided to remodel the spacious second level. This open area consisted of three sections: a TV and fireplace zone, a sparsely furnished dining area, and a dominant central kitchen. The kitchen featured a long back wall with three segmented sections and a massive island housing the cooktop. She found the kitchen’s functionality lacking and its presence overwhelming – it dominated the entire floor, regardless of where you stood. Design objectives: - Reconfigure key kitchen elements (sink, cooktop, oven) while minimizing the kitchen’s visual impact - Optimize the kitchen’s back wall, eliminating existing dead space - Create a purposeful, well-defined dining area - Establish a distinct, comfortable living area - Reuse existing appliances and flooring - Maintain an overall modern design aesthetic THE REMODEL Design challenges to be solved: - Redesign the island to reduce its overwhelming presence - Create a comfortable, dedicated living room within the available space - Establish a distinct, inviting dining area within spatial constraints - Enhance kitchen functionality and style without dominating the entire floor THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: - Sam created raised end caps for the island. This separated the kitchen from adjacent living and dining areas while focusing the kitchen’s functionality. The new sink location offers ample workspace, allowing the cook to interact with guests seated at the island. The redesigned island also provides additional storage. - For the living area, Sam opted for a functional-yet-minimalist approach. Large-format tile creates a natural stone look for the fireplace and TV wall. The recessed TV and extended fireplace shelf maintain a sleek profile. - Artistic wallpaper adds depth and texture, while the intentional lack of extensive shelving keeps the space open and distinct. - Sam transformed the dining area’s blank wall into a feature, adding a unique dry bar with counter space, open shelves, cabinet storage and a beverage fridge. - - - Wallpaper behind and above the bar contributes to the area’s personality. A mirror adds depth while pendant lights add style and visual interest. Relocating the cooktop to the back wall facilitates hidden ventilation, reducing visual clutter. Sam balanced transitional and modern elements for a contemporary yet comfortable feel. The digital control panel on the convection cooktop maintains a sleek look, while the wall oven is now at an easy-to-use height. ----- Mirrored base cabinet fronts and a paneled fridge prevent cabinetry monotony. The redesign has delighted Sam’s client, achieving her main goal of creating a more inviting and visually appealing space. Each section now has its own visual personality and functionality while harmonizing within a monochromatic palette. The entire floor offers wow-factor pop upon first glance, with each area maintaining its distinct character while contributing to a cohesive, modern aesthetic.

Joseph Eichler developed his moderately priced houses for the mass-market starting in 1949. His homes were designed using affordable materials and simple construction techniques. Nearly 70 years later these homes are in need of updating and remodeling an Eichler home today can become an imposing and costly project if you’re not careful. For this project the clients, who had undergone several previous house renovations, were determined to stick with an established budget from the beginning. Klopf Architecture helped them modernize their Eichler with a premium appearance on a reasonable budget. The clients challenged the Klopf team to create a design that had a high-end feel and nicely done while adhering to their budget. That meant not all of the initial project scope could be built. Like many other Eichler homes, the original floor plan did not meet the family’s needs leaving them feeling disconnected from one room to another. While an early goal was to expand the house into a carport and create a larger garage, it did not survive the contractor pricing phase of the project. The goals that did survive through to the end of the project included blurring some of the boundaries and opening up some of the spaces, making them more functional and creating a smoother flow in the house. The Klopf team joined the former separate kitchen and formal living room into one large space and shift the dining room where it is now connected to the kitchen. Klopf swapped the family room to the front alongside the living room, so the spaces feel more cohesive and are now better suited for family activities. The functional layout of the master bathroom was changed to include a large, curbless shower. Installing a complete IKEA kitchen including cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and furnishings was key to staying within budget. Bath fixtures in this house are also exclusively IKEA. Klopf Architecture has designed many homes using IKEA products, which are quite compatible offering an affordable, contemporary take on Eichler homes. The clients saved additional money from the simplicity and availability of IKEA products and by orchestrating the orders and purchases themselves. Following each construction meeting, the clients would make a run to IKEA and purchase items, pick up needed spare parts, and bring them back right away to stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule and minimize the chance of delays and bottlenecks. Klopf balanced material selections by retaining some of the original woodwork and simply refinishing the mahogany paneling. They were able to retain the original windows and sliding doors which were still in good shape, avoiding some of the most costly replacement expenses. Additionally interior doors were simply refinished and the exterior siding cleaned up and repainted. Formerly dark interiors are now illuminated with new slimmer semi-recessed lighting eliminating the need for costly roof work. Attention to design details allowed the Klopf team to ensure the house ended up with a high quality feel. Key visual elements were strictly aligned and Klopf worked with the clients to select a unified materials palette throughout the spaces so the house flows seamlessly together. Aligning the tile layout with the trusses and keeping it level with the concrete slab outside allowed them to achieve a level of quality that may otherwise be missed. The clients were able to keep their budget on track by determining clear goals and making critical decisions upfront, choosing materials and furnishings wisely, working with the right design and construction teams in place and to a large part, their willingness to participate throughout the process. In the end the clients were much happier with their reconfigured Eichler home and Klopf Architecture managed to keep their remodeling costs to about $325/sf – a good amount below the average Bay Area Eichler remodel. Project Team: John Klopf, Angela Todorova, Sherry Tan Contractor: Keycon Construction Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Photography: Sabrina Huang Year Completed: 2020

Nestled amidst a neighborhood of single story bungalows in Venice, California, the Solar Umbrella Residence boldly establishes a precedent for the next generation of California modernist architecture. Located on a 41’ wide x 100’-0” long through lot, the Solar Umbrella addition transforms the architects’ existing 650 square foot bungalow into a 1900 square foot residence equipped for responsible living in the twenty-first century. Inspired by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy—a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, which accommodates the couple and their one child chose to integrate into the design, principles of sustainability that they strive to achieve in their own practice. The architects carefully considered the entire site, taking advantage of as many opportunities for sustainable living as possible. Passive and active solar design strategies render the residence 100% energy neutral. Recycled, renewable, and high performance materials and products are specified throughout. Hardscape and landscape treatments are considered for their aesthetic and actual impact on the land. The Brooks Scarpa Residence elegantly crafts each of these strategies and materials, exploiting the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience.

This modern farmhouse landscape project near Cheney, Washington was designed to create a cohesive, durable outdoor environment that complements the architecture while responding to Inland Northwest climate conditions. Phase One included full site grading, irrigation installation, topsoil placement, and hydroseed to establish a healthy, resilient lawn. Planting areas were thoughtfully designed to provide structure, seasonal interest, and long-term performance while maintaining defensible space principles for improved wildfire resilience. Existing Ponderosa pines were preserved to retain the character and scale of the property, and hardscape materials were selected for durability and low maintenance. Concrete curbing defines clean transitions between lawn and planting beds, while strategically placed landscape boulders anchor the design within the site’s natural context. Low voltage landscape lighting was integrated to enhance safety, highlight architectural elements, and extend usability into the evening hours. This project was intentionally designed with future phases in mind, including a detached shop, expanded driveway improvements, additional deciduous tree plantings along the drive, and expanded planting areas. By establishing a strong foundational layout in Phase One, the property can evolve over time while maintaining design cohesion. The result is a refined farmhouse landscape that feels intentional, regionally appropriate, and built to perform through wind, snow, summer heat, and seasonal change.