This living room features the opulence of rich colors, a wood burning fireplace constructed of shadow blocks and mosaic tiles, a two story pocket courtyard with mature Mallet Flower Tree, connection to large balcony overlooking the city, cabinetry design obscuring a large television and audio system, clerestory windows and fabulous furniture including a Flag Halyard Lounge Chair with Black Leather and Icelandic Sheepskin by Hans Wagner -vintage 1970s Glass coffee table with natural Redwood stump base -Beni Ourain Moroccan Rug -custom modular sofa by Live Design in blue fabric -wood cut painting at fireplace “Harvest” 2009 by unknown AND in the dining room to the right: -“Platner Armchairs” for Knoll with polished nickel with classic Boucle in Onyx finish -vintage carved dragon end chairs -Dining Table by owner made with live edge Teak slab, lacquered finish

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept concrete floor, gray floor and brick wall living room remodel in San Francisco with gray walls, a hanging fireplace and a metal fireplace

Napa Residence features a new building product - CMU with the appearance of rammed earth and half the cement. Different sizes of earth blocks were used to create an arresting visual pattern. Architect: Juliet Hsu, Atelier Hsu | Design-Build: Watershed Materials & Rammed Earth Works | Photographer: Jacob Snavely

Minimalist one-story metal exterior home photo in Salt Lake City with a metal roof and a black roof

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

Outdoor Gas Fireplace
Example of a large classic backyard stone patio design in San Francisco with a fireplace

Richard Bloom
Photo of a mid-century modern landscaping in Orange County.

Example of a large classic backyard stone patio design in Chicago with a fire pit and no cover

Home design - modern home design idea in Other

The original house was a nondescript green stucco box with a low hip roof. To create architectural interest and dimension, we added the shed dormer and the pilasters, extended the front eaves to capture the pilasters, and we built the block wall with horizontal rails. The shed dormer adds height and depth to the hip roof, which would otherwise be too plain. It was difficult to find any inspiration photos for a modern house with a hip roof and shed dormer. After a couple mock-ups, we refined the dormer slope and proportions to work well with the rest of the design. Most of the house's cladding is the wide gray lap siding. White stucco with a smooth Santa Barbara finish and the white flush panel garage door provide a strong contrast. Thanks to Architect Marc Fredrickson for the inspiration sketches that evolved into the final exterior design.

Juila Lynn
Beach style front porch photo in Charleston

One enters the house between the private and public areas of the house. Bill Timmerman - Timmerman Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern gray split-level metal flat roof remodel in Phoenix

Raised vegetable planter using CMU blocks with a cultured stone finish and cap of bluestone.
Design ideas for a small contemporary partial sun courtyard vegetable garden landscape in Seattle.

AAA Architecture
Example of a large minimalist single-wall concrete floor open concept kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and flat-panel cabinets

Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Diego.

Patio - large rustic backyard stone patio idea in Seattle with a fire pit and no cover

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Greg Wilson
Mid-century modern pool photo in Portland

Napa Residence features a new building product - CMU with the appearance of rammed earth and half the cement. Built on a steep hillside, the steel-and-glass living space bridges across a natural gully. Architect: Juliet Hsu, Atelier Hsu | Design-Build: Watershed Materials & Rammed Earth Works | Photographer: Mark Luthringer