Overview Whole house refurbishment, double storey wrap around extension and large loft conversion. The Brief Create a WOW factor space, add glamour and fun and give the house a street side and garden side, both different. Our Solution This project was exciting from the start, the client wanted to entertain in a WOW factor space, have a panoramic view of the garden (which was to be landscaped), add bedrooms and a great master suite. We had some key elements to introduce such as an aquarium separating two rooms; double height spaces and a gloss kitchen, all of which manifest themselves in the completed scheme. Architecture is a process taking a schedule of areas, some key desires and needs, mixing the functionality and creating space. New spaces transform a house making it more valuable, giving it kerb appeal and making it feel like a different building. All of which happened at Ailsa Road.

Client: Private Residence In East London Brief: To supply & install grey carpet with a black border to stairs
Staircase - mid-sized transitional carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase idea in London

Client: Private Residence In East London Brief: To supply & install beige carpet with some stripes to stairs
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From Mid-Century Classic to the Present An iconic design updated with comfort, function, and flow for today. A Remodel That Balances Past and Present What started as a desire to update a classic Eichler soon became an exploration of how Mid-Century Modern design can successfully evolve for today. The client, a tech professional with a passion for scuba diving and underwater photography, wanted a home that would both honor its original character and feel tailored to his daily life. A lifelong technology enthusiast, he still owns the very first Mac desktop he saved up for as a teenager working at Radio Shack, a detail that underscores his appreciation for design that melds function and form. Honoring Separation While Expanding Possibility Unlike many contemporary remodels where walls are opened up to create expansive living spaces, this project took a more restrained approach. The client valued the defined rooms of the original plan and wanted to preserve as much wall space as possible for displaying his large-format underwater photography. The emphasis was not on dramatic spatial reinvention, but on thoughtful refinements. Klopf Architecture shaped a gallery-like backdrop while also expanding the primary suite, modernizing materials and fixtures throughout the home, and improving the functionality and layout of the kitchen. The finished home feels at once timeless and renewed, an Eichler that continues to inspire while fully supporting the lifestyle of its present-day owner. A major turning point came mid-design. The original project brief had not included an addition, but as the reconfiguration of the primary bedroom and bath unfolded, it became clear that an expansion was the best approach to achieve the client’s vision of a more spacious suite. Fortunately, the adjustment came at a stage when revisions were still manageable and was integrated seamlessly, showing how thoughtful course corrections can strengthen a project rather than hinder it. Navigating Challenges With Precision The design development included multiple conceptual rounds, balancing preservation with subtle expansion. During construction, an existing post previously thought to be load-bearing turned out not to be. The structural engineer was able to pivot quickly, and both the post and the cross beam that had been intended to replace it could be omitted, allowing the original rhythm of the Eichler beam bays to be preserved. Sustainability was not just a checklist item, but a way to align the home with the client’s values of simplicity, efficiency, and long-term functionality. R-38 roof insulation reduced energy usage, solar panels with battery storage provided independence and resilience, and passive comfort strategies eliminated the need forenergy-intensive air conditioning. An electric vehicle charger and an on-demand hot water recirculation system (with call buttons as opposed to having constant circulation) add to the home’s long-term efficiency factors. Together, these moves created a home that is quieter, more comfortable, and better equipped for the future, qualities that supported the client’s pragmatic approach to design and living lightly. Details That Respect the Eichler DNA The remodel carries forward the Eichler’s original spirit while introducing new layers of modern livability. Originally, the house was approached along a deep, narrow walk, with the garage on one side and the house on the other, leaving the front door tucked far back within this chasm-like space. By pulling the entry forward, the design reshaped the arrival experience, creating a clearer threshold and a natural drop-off zone for bags, shoes, and keys. This shift also made room for a custom bench at the entry that extends seamlessly through the glass sidelight. The bench and drop-off zone now work together as a single, integrated sequence that supports everyday living while offering a tactile reminder of Eichler’s philosophy of connectedness. At the client’s request, Klopf reintroduced a classic Eichler gesture by extending the exterior siding into the entry and living room. The detail reinforces a sense of indoor/outdoor continuity while providing a subtle architectural surface that allows the client’s photography to take visual precedence. The signature concrete masonry wall at the front was reconstructed using blocks sourced to match the originals, now strengthened with rebar for seismic resilience while maintaining a private outdoor courtyard, visually extending the kitchen outward. A decorative trellis element, a detail borrowed from a neighboring Eichler, restores a familiar mid-century modern architectural motif. At the courtyard entry door, a custom etched glass sidelight with an ocean-themed design featuring kelp and jellyfish serves as a subtle homage to the client’s passion for deep-sea diving. Landscaping became an integral part of the overall transformation. The homeowner engaged landscape architect Randi Johnsen of Third Nature Studio to shape a series of calm, inviting outdoor rooms that read as a natural extension of the interiors. While technically outside of the core construction scope, the landscape design proved central to achieving a sense of completeness and connectedness across the property. Such whole-property considerations often emerge as design ideas take shape, underscoring the importance of flexibility in planning and budgeting, as well as close collaboration among the design team starting early in the process. The Value of Evolving Scope As with many custom residential projects, the scope evolved during the design process. What began as a targeted remodel grew to include a new/expanded primary suite, a rebuilt CMU patio wall for strength and longevity, and a solar panel array and battery storage for energy resilience and carbon-reduction. Each thoughtful decision represented a conscious investment in the home’s performance and character, rather than a cost overrun. The result was a project delivered on schedule, tailored precisely to the client’s lifestyle, and positioned to add long-term value both functionally and aesthetically. By embracing scope evolution as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and relying on good design paired with transparent communication, this remodel demonstrates how Eichler homes can be adapted for contemporary living without erasing their DNA. Klopf Architecture project team: John Klopf, AIA, and Klara Kevane, Elise Webb and Nicholas LaNasa. Contractor: Golden Cove Construction Landscape Design: Third Nature Studio Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao Design Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2024 Location: Sunnyvale, CA

Brickyard is home to clients passionate about contemporary architecture. They envisioned a private refuge that maintains a strong connection to nature while preserving walkable access to city life. The project brief included space to accommodate their extended family and a lounge with skyline views. Constructed from steel, brick and glass, the home has a refined modern aesthetic that nods to Chicago’s industrial history. Its L-shaped footprint creates an open plan sanctuary that shelters a landscaped yard. A perforated screen wall defines the front elevation, adding privacy while allowing natural light to filter through. Made from custom tapered bricks, this sculptural element casts dynamic shadows and evokes a sense of movement across the facade as the sun shifts through the day. This design elevates the material, creating a luxurious texture that transforms the building’s exterior.

Client: Private Residence In South London Brief: To supply & install Karndean to bedroom
Bedroom - contemporary bedroom idea in London

Client: Private Residence In North London Brief: To supply & install carpet to stairs with border
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Living in the forest is about roaming around, hunting – about survival. It’s not actually that dramatic any more as Oscar Niemeyer’s “Brasilia” shows. This private villa with a kitchen area designed on LEICHT kitchen planning presents Brazil’s jungle capital in miniature: in a swooshing convex roof arch, individual areas set off from each other with glass and natural wood, with sprawling seating terraces, portholes, floor-to-ceiling windows, in brief: visually, the surrounding forest pervades from all sides. As beautiful and exciting as that might be, at the heart of the building, the kitchen area presents itself as a straightforward, down-to-earth sanctuary that very classically conveys the original aspect of a “cooking zone” as a modern kitchen to residents and guests.

A complete revamp of this garden around a new glass pavilion and revamped lap pool, our brief was to create a calm and structured garden through the use of multi-layered hedges, and the inclusion of just a few species mass planted for maximum impact. A feature was the large number of mature trees craned onto the site, to create an instant Olive grove where the tennis court used to be, and a citrus grove off the master bedroom suite.

Canynge Square The design brief was for the room to be ‘simple yet striking’; Combining contemporary form with traditional craft techniques and classical proportions. This kitchen incorporates American black Walnut internals, minimalist shaker doors and drawer fronts, hand painted in Slaked Lime, complimented by burnished copper handles and Taj Mahal Quartz stone. Kitchen designed and made by Irving Sykes in collaboration with @berkeley_place

Client: Private Residence In East London Brief: To supply & install grey herringbone carpet with whipped black edges to stairs and areas
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Living room - modern living room idea in Vancouver

Client: Private Residence In North London Brief: To supply & install grey carpet to stairs
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Client: Private Residence In Ealing Brief: To supply & install Amtico Signature Glint Orb & Amtico Signature Glint Void in a woven laying pattern
Entryway - contemporary entryway idea in London

The master bedroom is such a lovely room located at the back of the house, looking out on to acres of serene farmland, with an adjoining dressing room and en-suite. Our brief was to design and create a contemporary, streamlined en-suite and dressing room with storage, complete with a walk-in shower area, and a freestanding bath.

Client: Private Residence In North London Brief: To supply & install grey carpet to stairs & rooms
Inspiration for a transitional carpeted u-shaped mixed material railing staircase remodel in London

THE BRIEF Lengthy consultations with the client and her family over an 18 month period (during which a well was discovered underneath the foundations) revealed their relaxed approach to living and desire for a modern-classic look. The shape of the room and the request for 5 domino hobs determined the need for a large and sociable island. It was also important to provide the perfect place for the family to gather whilst mum cooks. A large kitchen sink was particularly desired by the owners who wanted to be able to use this area as a wet zone work station. THE CHALLENGE With such a large number of cabinets within this kitchen we created diversity and interest by introducing three harmonising finishes; sterling grey, walnut and truffle grey; each defining their own zones. Onto these we added 4 different handle types to accent the different areas and create interest and individuality. Integrating a Kohler Stages sink into a Stainless steel work top provided the perfect wet zone area, whereas on the island the Blanco Rivers Silestone offers a more classic and homely appeal without compromising practicality. THE OUTCOME This new kitchen is a world apart from the clients original wooden in-frame kitchen. Its understated style is innately calming whilst the careful space planning means that it is fantastically practical and a joy to use. In the main kitchen galley area the user has easy access to sink, cooking and refrigeration within a few steps. The perimeter areas of the kitchen house the ovens and the display storage and allow for easy passage way to the living/dining area without interrupting the working area.

inspired by the client's brief for a mediterranean look with retro touches, this is our proposal for the second floor of a beautiful seafront townhouse. while keeping a more classical feel in the lower floors of the house, we have worked on a contemporary look on the first floor, mirroring the fact that this is a newly built floor.

Situated in Fraserburgh, this modern kitchen project was designed to provide the client with a stylish and functional cooking and living area. They wanted a large peninsula that could accommodate multiple tasks while leaving enough room for a dining table and a comfortable sitting area. To create a sleek, contemporary aesthetic, we used Nolte Plus cabinetry in an anti-fingerprint black finish. The built-in MatrixArt handle trims in Manganese Bronze, paired with remote-controlled LED lighting, add a touch of elegance and practicality to the design. We selected 20mm Silestone Ethereal Glow worktops to contrast the dark cabinetry, providing a bright and luxurious surface that complements the overall design. To enhance functionality, high-performance NEFF appliances were chosen, including a Slide&Hide single oven, a combination microwave, a warming drawer, a 5-zone induction hob with a downdraft extractor, a fridge freezer, and a dishwasher. The kitchen features a black Blanco Subline under-mounted sink paired with a black Quooker Fusion Square tap for instant boiling water. Tall units were fitted to the ceiling to provide ample storage and maximise the space, creating a seamless finish. Nolte floating shelves on feature wall panels offer a personalised touch, allowing the client to showcase decorative items and add character to the space. Quickstep Muse Laminate flooring completes the modern design with its durable yet stylish appeal. This fully project-managed kitchen transformation delivered on every aspect of the client’s brief, creating a stunning and functional space that perfectly suits their lifestyle. Ready to bring your kitchen vision to life? Get in touch with us today!