This client of ours loves to entertain. We were commissioned to completely redesign his backyard space to include a Pavilion, an outdoor kitchen, and a fire pit area. Preparation for this work included demolishing existing deteriorated concrete and a non-functioning Koi pond. We decided on a 12′ x 14′ layout for the Cedar Pavilion. Sconce lighting, infrared heating, and a ceiling fan were added to the scope of the Pavilion project to maximize the space’s usability. For the outdoor kitchen, we chose a 38″ Delta Heat unit for the grill with matching access doors, a 20K BTU Hestan Side Burner, and a Hestan Refrigerator. We chose soapstone for the countertop and backsplash, and we veneered the kitchen structure with natural San Miguel cobblestone. The construction of the fire pit area required engineering measures to prevent damage to the nearby pine trees’ root systems from the planned improvements. This was accomplished by designing a sophisticated ventilation system installed under the patio and seat wall to allow the tree roots to continue breathing. The firepit and surrounding seat wall were constructed of CMU block and veneered with natural San Miguel stone from Telluride. Light fixtures from Unique Lighting were discreetly tucked under the seat wall cap to enhance the area’s nighttime ambiance. Large decorative mossback landscape boulders were imported to create visual interest in the setting. The plant selection for the project included ‘Panchito’ Manzanita, Dwarf Burning Bush, ‘Isanti’ Dogwood, ‘White Bud’ Mugo Pine, Japanese Astilbe, ‘Blue Giant’ Hosta, and Variegated Iris.

Architecture + Construction + Interiors + Landscaping by: CO-LAB Photography: Cesar Bejar Tucked into a lush landscape of Areca Palms, Casa Areca was carefully positioned on a narrow lot to preserve existing trees and palms. Designed as a vacation home, Casa Areca, features 4 en-suite bedrooms on the 1st floor - allowing for an open ground floor plan. The kitchen, dining and living room are spatially integrated and open to the exterior through retractable and or pivoting floor to ceiling glass doors. A wrap-around deck frames the pool and private gardens. A stone wall built from the stone that was excavated to build the pool and cisterns provides a backdrop to the pool gardens. Built from CMU blocks and reinforced concrete the walls of the house are finished with white polished cement techniques. Light grey polished cement floors complement the walls to create a soft color pallet to better contrast the bespoke furnishings designed by CO-LAB and built with Yucatan artisans. The wood for the project was locally harvested from a tree farm and treated to match the soft color pallet carried throughout the house - providing warmth and tranquility. The electrical consumption of the house is offset by a solar panel system to reduce carbon emissions. An abundance of windows carefully oriented to capture prevailing breezes, keep the house cool and fresh throughout the year, creating a peaceful atmosphere optimal for unwinding after a beach day. The front façade which faces east was cast in place against a formwork of local wooden sticks - resulting in a palimpsest wall – displaying the journey of the sun and shadows each morning

Open Concept Resilient Apartment Photo by John Sprung
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept concrete floor living room remodel in Burlington

Stucco/CMU & gated trash enclosure
Beach style home design photo in San Luis Obispo

back end of butterfly viewed from the alley
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern white two-story concrete fiberboard exterior home remodel in Sacramento

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

The rear hardscape consists of CMU walls with a Stoneyhurst veneer stone topped with Teakwood caps; natural cleft gold quartzite stone wet laid on concrete; a Raffinato smooth border in beige cream color installed along walkway. The playground area was laid out with safe mulch and owner supplied playground set. The project was completed with lighting and plantings. Photos by Matchbook Production (Mark Petinga)

Bedroom - mid-sized 1950s guest concrete floor, exposed beam and wood wall bedroom idea in Seattle

This 4600sf coastal contemporary floor plan features 4 bedroom, 5 baths and a 3 car garage. It is 66’8″ wide, 74’4″ deep and 29’6″ high. Its design includes a slab foundation, 8″ CMU exterior walls on both the 1st and 2nd floor, cement tile and a stucco finish. Total square foot under roof is 6,642.

Open Concept Resilient Apartment John Sprung
Trendy kitchen photo in Burlington

Exterior entry with wood clad 3-car garage. Concrete path with landscape leads enclosed courtyard of breeze block marking a private entrance
Inspiration for a huge modern concrete floor, gray floor and wood wall entryway remodel in Los Angeles with beige walls and a black front door

Inside enclosed entry courtyard of breeze block (seen in reflection) and smooth stucco walls marking a private entrance to a pivot door. Roof stair clad in Thermory wood siding above.

Erik Bishoff
Example of a large transitional gray two-story mixed siding exterior home design in Other

This exquisite Robert Elliott Custom Homes’ property is nestled in the Park Cities on the quiet and tree-lined Windsor Avenue. The home is marked by the beautiful design and craftsmanship by David Stocker of the celebrated architecture firm Stocker Hoesterey Montenegro. The dramatic entrance boasts stunning clear cedar ceiling porches and hand-made steel doors. Inside, wood ceiling beams bring warmth to the living room and breakfast nook, while the open-concept kitchen – featuring large marble and quartzite countertops – serves as the perfect gathering space for family and friends. In the great room, light filters through 10-foot floor-to-ceiling oversized windows illuminating the coffered ceilings, providing a pleasing environment for both entertaining and relaxing. Five-inch hickory wood floors flow throughout the common spaces and master bedroom and designer carpet is in the secondary bedrooms. Each of the spacious bathrooms showcase beautiful tile work in clean and elegant designs. Outside, the expansive backyard features a patio, outdoor living space, pool and cabana.

Jazmin Francis
Inspiration for a large modern multicolored two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Other with a shed roof and a metal roof

Michael Wilkinson The client selected the pizza oven because he can use it to make pizzas, bake bread, and cook other items. The unit weighs 2500 pounds! To support the oven, we made the base of the chimney from CMU/concrete block. The exterior of the base is faced with engineered stone to echo the home's real stone accents. We worked closely with the manufacturer for the requirements to run the gas line, fire proofing, venting, and air intake. We installed porcelain tile on the base of the pizza oven. We used the same tile for the interior of the wine closets. Since the pizza oven was so heavy and large, we rented a forklift to bring it to the site. Our field crew had to time delivery so the addition was under roof, but not all the walls were installed so the forklift lift it into place. Once on site, the crew used the old trick of rolling it on pipes to get it into place.

Inspiration for an exterior home remodel in Indianapolis

Example of a classic patio design in San Diego

This client of ours loves to entertain. We were commissioned to completely redesign his backyard space to include a Pavilion, an outdoor kitchen, and a fire pit area. Preparation for this work included demolishing existing deteriorated concrete and a non-functioning Koi pond. We decided on a 12′ x 14′ layout for the Cedar Pavilion. Sconce lighting, infrared heating, and a ceiling fan were added to the scope of the Pavilion project to maximize the space’s usability. For the outdoor kitchen, we chose a 38″ Delta Heat unit for the grill with matching access doors, a 20K BTU Hestan Side Burner, and a Hestan Refrigerator. We chose soapstone for the countertop and backsplash, and we veneered the kitchen structure with natural San Miguel cobblestone. The construction of the fire pit area required engineering measures to prevent damage to the nearby pine trees’ root systems from the planned improvements. This was accomplished by designing a sophisticated ventilation system installed under the patio and seat wall to allow the tree roots to continue breathing. The firepit and surrounding seat wall were constructed of CMU block and veneered with natural San Miguel stone from Telluride. Light fixtures from Unique Lighting were discreetly tucked under the seat wall cap to enhance the area’s nighttime ambiance. Large decorative mossback landscape boulders were imported to create visual interest in the setting. The plant selection for the project included ‘Panchito’ Manzanita, Dwarf Burning Bush, ‘Isanti’ Dogwood, ‘White Bud’ Mugo Pine, Japanese Astilbe, ‘Blue Giant’ Hosta, and Variegated Iris.