Santa Monica Modern is a stunning single family residence perched atop a hill overlooking Santa Monica Bay. Featuring All Weather custom aluminum windows and doors throughout, this gorgeous project was a recipient of a 2024 AIA Los Angeles Residential Architecture Award, which exemplifies the highest standards of design excellence, creative execution, and transformative impact on urban landscapes. Designed by Dimster Architecture, the 3 bedroom, 5 bath, 3,550 sq. ft. Santa Monica Modern residence sits on a 7,200 sq. ft. corner lot and stands out for its meticulous attention to detail and elegant curvature of its designs. An L-shaped scheme maximizes privacy towards the streets while exposing the interior to the garden and afternoon sun, encouraging indoor/outdoor living. The building mass is divided between two separate structures and is both articulated and accentuated with curved carvings. The sunken living room features 10-foot tall All Weather Series 8100 multi slide doors in stacking and pocketing configurations on two sides for a pavilion feeling and serves as both passive cooling and a direct connection to the yard and pool. By combining the kitchen, dining room and den, the home offers flexible spaces for entertaining, meditation, work and hobbies and the potential for future multi-generational living. A simple stair, concealed behind an open screen, leads to the second floor. The master suite spans the building’s width, while other bedrooms enjoy unique treetop views and expansive daylighting with All Weather Series 6000 operable and fixed windows. Throughout the house, a cohesive and calming palette of materials and textures, the natural wood siding, and the beige concrete block wall adds an unconventional element and completes the concept.

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

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor Modern Farmhouse in Akron, Ohio, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Designed with an expansive open-concept layout, this floor plan maximizes spatial flow, offering abundant storage and generous proportions to entertain guests and cook simultaneously. The premium kitchen is fully equipped for culinary pursuits, showcasing a large walk-in pantry, extensive counter space, and an optional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone to keep the main island pristine. To accommodate modern family needs, the massive first-floor flex room has been custom-tailored into an executive home office, featuring premium built-in cabinets and shelving to ensure staying organized while working from home is completely effortless. For added main-level luxury, a beautifully appointed first-floor guest suite provides ultimate comfort and seclusion for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful design details continue as you head upstairs. The private primary owner’s retreat serves as a quiet upper-level sanctuary, showcasing a double-bowl vanity and independent, separate walk-in closets. This primary suite is conveniently located adjacent to the second-floor laundry room, which has been upgraded with a brilliant, custom-built dog washing station perfect for keeping four-legged family members clean. Overlooking the home's main level, the spacious upstairs loft has been beautifully converted into a versatile bonus room. This adaptive upper lounge area functions as a multi-use flex zone, serving as the perfect design canvas for a children's playroom, a home workout fitness room, or a dedicated media and game room.

A couple took ownership of their new residence on a top floor of a quiet street in central Lisbon. Our studio’s brief was to transform the duplex into a hideaway to detach from daily life and spend quality time with visiting relatives. The design manifests family-focused features: upon entry, there is plentiful storage for shoes and coats; in the main living room, a custom island crafted in solid surface extends the compact kitchen into the social area, seamlessly bridging cooking and convivial gatherings. A buffet supports more elaborate meals. Sculptural pendants and niches that accentuate horizontal continuity favor interaction between the dining and flexible lounge areas. Reimagined with durable materials, the bathrooms embrace efficiency and elegance. Cabinetry is integrated around the planes of countertops and insets carried across the room. Dark wood and textured accents punctuate the white surfaces, grounding the spaces in tactile warmth. The bedrooms, designed for adaptability, offer separable sleeping arrangements, peaceful workspaces, and versatile wardrobe solutions. The light-toned furniture and organic elements are tailored to the interior, softening the contrasting architectural palette and rectilinear forms. Soothing accent lighting is interwoven throughout, offering an adaptable, serene atmosphere.

Imagine a compact backyard home in Golden that keeps family close but gives everyone space. The Golden ADU sits west of North Table Mountain, offering owners a private retreat so their kids' family can take the main house – all while framing epic Denver views. The owners needed independence with family ties, so we created a unit that balances privacy and proximity. South-facing design captures stunning plains and city sights for daily inspiration. Multi-generational living can feel crowded, but this ADU provides a separate, functional space without sacrificing connection. It handles site limits by maximizing views and light efficiently. The concept mixes sloped roofs and simple boxes for a fresh, modern feel that fits the landscape. A large deck extends the living area outdoors, inviting relaxation amid the scenery. Standard wood framing keeps it durable and budget-friendly, built strong for Colorado's elements. South orientation and big windows bring in passive solar warmth and natural light, reducing energy needs while keeping things cozy. Practical main floor with one bedroom, two baths, office, mudroom, and open kitchen-living – all designed for ease and flow. Completed in 2022, the Golden ADU is a smart solution for family living. It blends privacy, views, and efficiency, creating a peaceful space that strengthens bonds and enhances life in the mountains.

A couple took ownership of their new residence on a top floor of a quiet street in central Lisbon. Our studio’s brief was to transform the duplex into a hideaway to detach from daily life and spend quality time with visiting relatives. The design manifests family-focused features: upon entry, there is plentiful storage for shoes and coats; in the main living room, a custom island crafted in solid surface extends the compact kitchen into the social area, seamlessly bridging cooking and convivial gatherings. A buffet supports more elaborate meals. Sculptural pendants and niches that accentuate horizontal continuity favor interaction between the dining and flexible lounge areas. Reimagined with durable materials, the bathrooms embrace efficiency and elegance. Cabinetry is integrated around the planes of countertops and insets carried across the room. Dark wood and textured accents punctuate the white surfaces, grounding the spaces in tactile warmth. The bedrooms, designed for adaptability, offer separable sleeping arrangements, peaceful workspaces, and versatile wardrobe solutions. The light-toned furniture and organic elements are tailored to the interior, softening the contrasting architectural palette and rectilinear forms. Soothing accent lighting is interwoven throughout, offering an adaptable, serene atmosphere.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor Modern Farmhouse in Akron, Ohio, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Designed with an expansive open-concept layout, this floor plan maximizes spatial flow, offering abundant storage and generous proportions to entertain guests and cook simultaneously. The premium kitchen is fully equipped for culinary pursuits, showcasing a large walk-in pantry, extensive counter space, and an optional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone to keep the main island pristine. To accommodate modern family needs, the massive first-floor flex room has been custom-tailored into an executive home office, featuring premium built-in cabinets and shelving to ensure staying organized while working from home is completely effortless. For added main-level luxury, a beautifully appointed first-floor guest suite provides ultimate comfort and seclusion for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful design details continue as you head upstairs. The private primary owner’s retreat serves as a quiet upper-level sanctuary, showcasing a double-bowl vanity and independent, separate walk-in closets. This primary suite is conveniently located adjacent to the second-floor laundry room, which has been upgraded with a brilliant, custom-built dog washing station perfect for keeping four-legged family members clean. Overlooking the home's main level, the spacious upstairs loft has been beautifully converted into a versatile bonus room. This adaptive upper lounge area functions as a multi-use flex zone, serving as the perfect design canvas for a children's playroom, a home workout fitness room, or a dedicated media and game room.

Our client was inspired by old English kitchens and we worked to make that distinctive traditional style feel right at home in the context of a Spanish bungalow. The unfussiness of the oak cabinetry and unlacquered brass finishes blends with a boldly eclectic mix (in scale, pattern, and hue) of stone for a fresh, modern take on traditional English design. Right off the kitchen and separated only by a tiled archway, the laundry room wears this blend a bit more dramatically with pale lilac cabinetry, vibrant wallcoverings, and intricate woodwork. The end result is a highly layered, subtly theatrical scheme where the line between casual and elegant is softly blurred. It's our ode to how gorgeous even the most utilitarian elements can be.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor Modern Farmhouse in Akron, Ohio, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Designed with an expansive open-concept layout, this floor plan maximizes spatial flow, offering abundant storage and generous proportions to entertain guests and cook simultaneously. The premium kitchen is fully equipped for culinary pursuits, showcasing a large walk-in pantry, extensive counter space, and an optional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone to keep the main island pristine. To accommodate modern family needs, the massive first-floor flex room has been custom-tailored into an executive home office, featuring premium built-in cabinets and shelving to ensure staying organized while working from home is completely effortless. For added main-level luxury, a beautifully appointed first-floor guest suite provides ultimate comfort and seclusion for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful design details continue as you head upstairs. The private primary owner’s retreat serves as a quiet upper-level sanctuary, showcasing a double-bowl vanity and independent, separate walk-in closets. This primary suite is conveniently located adjacent to the second-floor laundry room, which has been upgraded with a brilliant, custom-built dog washing station perfect for keeping four-legged family members clean. Overlooking the home's main level, the spacious upstairs loft has been beautifully converted into a versatile bonus room. This adaptive upper lounge area functions as a multi-use flex zone, serving as the perfect design canvas for a children's playroom, a home workout fitness room, or a dedicated media and game room.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor Modern Farmhouse in Akron, Ohio, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Designed with an expansive open-concept layout, this floor plan maximizes spatial flow, offering abundant storage and generous proportions to entertain guests and cook simultaneously. The premium kitchen is fully equipped for culinary pursuits, showcasing a large walk-in pantry, extensive counter space, and an optional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone to keep the main island pristine. To accommodate modern family needs, the massive first-floor flex room has been custom-tailored into an executive home office, featuring premium built-in cabinets and shelving to ensure staying organized while working from home is completely effortless. For added main-level luxury, a beautifully appointed first-floor guest suite provides ultimate comfort and seclusion for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful design details continue as you head upstairs. The private primary owner’s retreat serves as a quiet upper-level sanctuary, showcasing a double-bowl vanity and independent, separate walk-in closets. This primary suite is conveniently located adjacent to the second-floor laundry room, which has been upgraded with a brilliant, custom-built dog washing station perfect for keeping four-legged family members clean. Overlooking the home's main level, the spacious upstairs loft has been beautifully converted into a versatile bonus room. This adaptive upper lounge area functions as a multi-use flex zone, serving as the perfect design canvas for a children's playroom, a home workout fitness room, or a dedicated media and game room.

Gavin Dale is a registered building designer of works primarily focused within the rural landscape of western New South Wales. Origami House looks at the core idea of the iconic Australian rural shed in an exposed environment. Open spaces that contain the necessary activities of daily life that can be easily manipulated to provide for large family gatherings or quieter spaces of reflection. The residence sets out primarily to achieve the expectations of the clients and reinforce the rural context of corrugated iron and raw and robust building materials. Two rectangular ‘tubes’ were aligned to the North then slid apart. This provided for unobstructed views combined with effective cross ventilation. The gabled roof line folds along a branched ridge, which in turn creates a vanishing point for the internal timber lined ceilings. The simple palette of grey metal, Barestone and radial sawn timber blends with the subdued basalt geology and agricultural landscape. This robust exterior is warmed internally by local crushed granite rammed earth thermal mass spline walls. These walls separate bedroom and living spaces that reach out beyond the façade to integrate with the landscaping and provide the robust shelter and protection from the elements.

Elegant single-wall beige floor home bar photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash and beige countertops

Amazing, custom - made kitchen, in black color with metal and wood elements that create the perfect look. Here you can see the metal range hoods and designed metal lighting above the black island, the island and the small dining table, made of two different materials to create separation, but designed as one piece to create continuance off one another.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor Modern Farmhouse in Akron, Ohio, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Designed with an expansive open-concept layout, this floor plan maximizes spatial flow, offering abundant storage and generous proportions to entertain guests and cook simultaneously. The premium kitchen is fully equipped for culinary pursuits, showcasing a large walk-in pantry, extensive counter space, and an optional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone to keep the main island pristine. To accommodate modern family needs, the massive first-floor flex room has been custom-tailored into an executive home office, featuring premium built-in cabinets and shelving to ensure staying organized while working from home is completely effortless. For added main-level luxury, a beautifully appointed first-floor guest suite provides ultimate comfort and seclusion for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful design details continue as you head upstairs. The private primary owner’s retreat serves as a quiet upper-level sanctuary, showcasing a double-bowl vanity and independent, separate walk-in closets. This primary suite is conveniently located adjacent to the second-floor laundry room, which has been upgraded with a brilliant, custom-built dog washing station perfect for keeping four-legged family members clean. Overlooking the home's main level, the spacious upstairs loft has been beautifully converted into a versatile bonus room. This adaptive upper lounge area functions as a multi-use flex zone, serving as the perfect design canvas for a children's playroom, a home workout fitness room, or a dedicated media and game room.

Santa Monica Modern is a stunning single family residence perched atop a hill overlooking Santa Monica Bay. Featuring All Weather custom aluminum windows and doors throughout, this gorgeous project was a recipient of a 2024 AIA Los Angeles Residential Architecture Award, which exemplifies the highest standards of design excellence, creative execution, and transformative impact on urban landscapes. Designed by Dimster Architecture, the 3 bedroom, 5 bath, 3,550 sq. ft. Santa Monica Modern residence sits on a 7,200 sq. ft. corner lot and stands out for its meticulous attention to detail and elegant curvature of its designs. An L-shaped scheme maximizes privacy towards the streets while exposing the interior to the garden and afternoon sun, encouraging indoor/outdoor living. The building mass is divided between two separate structures and is both articulated and accentuated with curved carvings. The sunken living room features 10-foot tall All Weather Series 8100 multi slide doors in stacking and pocketing configurations on two sides for a pavilion feeling and serves as both passive cooling and a direct connection to the yard and pool. By combining the kitchen, dining room and den, the home offers flexible spaces for entertaining, meditation, work and hobbies and the potential for future multi-generational living. A simple stair, concealed behind an open screen, leads to the second floor. The master suite spans the building’s width, while other bedrooms enjoy unique treetop views and expansive daylighting with All Weather Series 6000 operable and fixed windows. Throughout the house, a cohesive and calming palette of materials and textures, the natural wood siding, and the beige concrete block wall adds an unconventional element and completes the concept.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Windsor Modern Farmhouse in Akron, Ohio, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with modern elements. Designed with an expansive open-concept layout, this floor plan maximizes spatial flow, offering abundant storage and generous proportions to entertain guests and cook simultaneously. The premium kitchen is fully equipped for culinary pursuits, showcasing a large walk-in pantry, extensive counter space, and an optional "messy kitchen" secondary prep zone to keep the main island pristine. To accommodate modern family needs, the massive first-floor flex room has been custom-tailored into an executive home office, featuring premium built-in cabinets and shelving to ensure staying organized while working from home is completely effortless. For added main-level luxury, a beautifully appointed first-floor guest suite provides ultimate comfort and seclusion for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful design details continue as you head upstairs. The private primary owner’s retreat serves as a quiet upper-level sanctuary, showcasing a double-bowl vanity and independent, separate walk-in closets. This primary suite is conveniently located adjacent to the second-floor laundry room, which has been upgraded with a brilliant, custom-built dog washing station perfect for keeping four-legged family members clean. Overlooking the home's main level, the spacious upstairs loft has been beautifully converted into a versatile bonus room. This adaptive upper lounge area functions as a multi-use flex zone, serving as the perfect design canvas for a children's playroom, a home workout fitness room, or a dedicated media and game room.

Our busy Silicon Valley clients asked us to convert their tight-quartered 1960’s ranch house to a gracious family home that would meet their long term needs. Ease of living was paramount, both in functionality and in ordered design. The project was completed on a moderate budget.While retaining most of the structure of the existing house to avoid costly structural changes, we opened walls to improve the sight lines and flow of the house and bring in more light. We made small additions at the front and back bedrooms to gain space for the family and relatives. An existing underused patio area was improved with a simple outdoor kitchen and overhang to extend the living space to the outside. Costs were kept down with choices of modest materials. Everything was made to be functional. Ample storage has been built into the right places. The details of the kitchen were carefully worked out to accommodate all the wishes of the various cooks in the family. The house is set up to be easy to keep clean. Acoustic walls separate living from bedroom spaces so adults can enjoy time together while children sleep. The outdoor kitchen has easy access to the indoor kitchen and the garage, and its setup promotes socializing while cooking outdoors. A large part of the narrow back yard was previously unusable space due to a steep slope up to a neighbor’s higher fence. With a new retaining wall and some re-grading we took back more of the yard for the patio and play space on a new lawn. The remodeled house is a mix of contemporary and traditional elements. Cool colors have a calming effect. Traditional items such as prairie style windows, trellis, mosaic tiles, and Shaker style cabinets, break down the scale in an otherwise streamlined, contemporary design. A new gabled roof with a broad arch at the front of the house marks the entry and resolves a challenging form where the central entry is set back from walls on both sides. Photography: Kurt Manley https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-ranch/

his executive residence stands apart with striking design elements rarely found elsewhere. From the moment you step inside, you're met with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the home in natural light from morning to night even on the dullest of days. The space is artfully constructed around light, volume, and flow, with four open skylights on the second level pouring light through to the main floor a brilliant and intentional design choice that enhances connection across the homes two storeys.The main floor is a showpiece of sophisticated living and entertaining, anchored by a sleek chefs kitchen featuring a built-in wine rack, ample custom cabinetry, and an inspiring layout. Thoughtful touches like the second-level office nook provide a balance of form and function for modern living. Upstairs, you'll find four generously sized bedrooms, including a serene principal retreat with a spa-inspired ensuite a space designed to relax, restore, and rejuvenate.The fully legal lower-level suite offers unmatched versatility and style. With heated floors, oversized windows, a separate entrance and HVAC system, and a walkout to a private sitting area, its an ideal in-law suite, guest retreat, or luxurious mortgage helper perfect for multigenerational families or discerning investors. Located in a warm, established, and community-oriented neighbourhood where families put down roots for generations

The master bathroom is a luxurious retreat that blends modern elegance with warm, natural materials. Dual sinks and lighted mirrors provide both functionality and a sense of symmetry, while a double rain shower and a separate soaking tub offer a spa-like experience for ultimate relaxation. Rich wood cabinetry pairs beautifully with light-colored countertops, balancing warmth and brightness throughout the space. Antique Brass Brenta single sconces by Visual Comfort add a touch of classic refinement, while a modern gold Emery pendant chandelier by Kalco introduces a sculptural, contemporary element. A large window floods the room with natural light, enhancing the airy, serene atmosphere and creating a master bath that is both stylish and inviting.