Search results for "Insulating layer" in Home Design Ideas

Nestled in a wooded area in the Pacific Northwest, the 1800 sf Passive Cedar Haus was built as a retirement home. The Artisans Group designed the layout of the home, mindful of aging in place, and working to ensure that the home blended in with the surrounding natural beauty. The project meets a complex program, with an unheated sleeping porch for a master bedroom, a screened porch, a 600 sf caretakers apartment/mother in law unit, large wood shop, plus a two car carport. The home seamlessly integrates a floating cedar tongue and groove roof with large sheltering overhangs, clerestory windows, and language of cedar slats for privacy screens and doors inside and out. The warm, natural materials of wood and cork for the interior palette are punctuated by lively accents and stunning fixtures.
This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the main living area, gives an expansive view of the surrounding Northwest forest. The tops of these windows reveal the interior cedar clad and the up-swept soffits on the home’s exterior, creating a floating ceiling effect. Slatted spruce wood fly-overs break up the vertical areas of the great room and define separate areas that would otherwise feel like an overwhelmingly expansive space.
Photography by: Cheryl Ramsay of Ramsay Photography

Essential, contemporary, and inviting defines this extremely energy efficient, Energy Star certified, Passive House design-inspired home in the Pacific Northwest. Designed for an active family of four, the one-story 3 bedroom, 2 bath floor plan offers tasteful aging in place features, a strong sense of privacy, and a low profile that doesn’t impinge on the natural landscape. This house will heat itself in the dead of winter with less energy than it takes to run a hair dryer, and be sensual to live in while it does it. The forms throughout the home are simple and neutral, allowing for ample natural light, rich warm materials, and of course, room for the Guinea pigs makes this a great example of artful architecture applied to a genuine family lifestyle.
This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. Natural daylight enters both from the tilt & turn and fixed windows in the living and dining areas, and through the terrace door that leads seamlessly outside to the natural landscape.
Project Designed & Built by: artisansgroup
Certifications: Energy Star & Built Green Lvl 4
Photography: Art Gray of Art Gray Photography

A run down traditional 1960's home in the heart of the san Fernando valley area is a common site for home buyers in the area. so, what can you do with it you ask? A LOT! is our answer. Most first-time home buyers are on a budget when they need to remodel and we know how to maximize it. The entire exterior of the house was redone with #stucco over layer, some nice bright color for the front door to pop out and a modern garage door is a good add. the back yard gained a huge 400sq. outdoor living space with Composite Decking from Cali Bamboo and a fantastic insulated patio made from aluminum. The pool was redone with dark color pebble-tech for better temperature capture and the 0 maintenance of the material.
Inside we used water resistance wide planks European oak look-a-like laminated flooring. the floor is continues throughout the entire home (except the bathrooms of course ? ).
A gray/white and a touch of earth tones for the wall colors to bring some brightness to the house.
The center focal point of the house is the transitional farmhouse kitchen with real reclaimed wood floating shelves and custom-made island vegetables/fruits baskets on a full extension hardware.
take a look at the clean and unique countertop cloudburst-concrete by caesarstone it has a "raw" finish texture.
The master bathroom is made entirely from natural slate stone in different sizes, wall mounted modern vanity and a fantastic shower system by Signature Hardware.
Guest bathroom was lightly remodeled as well with a new 66"x36" Mariposa tub by Kohler with a single piece quartz slab installed above it.
Find the right local pro for your project

This project’s owner originally contacted Sunspace because they needed to replace an outdated, leaking sunroom on their North Hampton, New Hampshire property. The aging sunroom was set on a fieldstone foundation that was beginning to show signs of wear in the uppermost layer. The client’s vision involved repurposing the ten foot by ten foot area taken up by the original sunroom structure in order to create the perfect space for a new home office. Sunspace Design stepped in to help make that vision a reality.
We began the design process by carefully assessing what the client hoped to achieve. Working together, we soon realized that a glass conservatory would be the perfect replacement. Our custom conservatory design would allow great natural light into the home while providing structure for the desired office space.
Because the client’s beautiful home featured a truly unique style, the principal challenge we faced was ensuring that the new conservatory would seamlessly blend with the surrounding architectural elements on the interior and exterior. We utilized large, Marvin casement windows and a hip design for the glass roof. The interior of the home featured an abundance of wood, so the conservatory design featured a wood interior stained to match.
The end result of this collaborative process was a beautiful conservatory featured at the front of the client’s home. The new space authentically matches the original construction, the leaky sunroom is no longer a problem, and our client was left with a home office space that’s bright and airy. The large casements provide a great view of the exterior landscape and let in incredible levels of natural light. And because the space was outfitted with energy efficient glass, spray foam insulation, and radiant heating, this conservatory is a true four season glass space that our client will be able to enjoy throughout the year.

Nestled in a wooded area in the Pacific Northwest, the 1800 sf Passive Cedar Haus was built as a retirement home. The Artisans Group designed the layout of the home, mindful of aging in place, and working to ensure that the home blended in with the surrounding natural beauty. The project meets a complex program, with an unheated sleeping porch for a master bedroom, a screened porch, a 600 sf caretakers apartment/mother in law unit, large wood shop, plus a two car carport. The home seamlessly integrates a floating cedar tongue and groove roof with large sheltering overhangs, clerestory windows, and language of cedar slats for privacy screens and doors inside and out. The warm, natural materials of wood and cork for the interior palette are punctuated by lively accents and stunning fixtures.
This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the main living area, gives an expansive view of the surrounding Northwest forest. The tops of these windows reveal the interior cedar clad and the up-swept soffits on the home’s exterior, creating a floating ceiling effect. Slatted spruce wood fly-overs break up the vertical areas of the great room and define separate areas that would otherwise feel like an overwhelmingly expansive space.
Photography by: Cheryl Ramsay of Ramsay Photography

A run down traditional 1960's home in the heart of the san Fernando valley area is a common site for home buyers in the area. so, what can you do with it you ask? A LOT! is our answer. Most first-time home buyers are on a budget when they need to remodel and we know how to maximize it. The entire exterior of the house was redone with #stucco over layer, some nice bright color for the front door to pop out and a modern garage door is a good add. the back yard gained a huge 400sq. outdoor living space with Composite Decking from Cali Bamboo and a fantastic insulated patio made from aluminum. The pool was redone with dark color pebble-tech for better temperature capture and the 0 maintenance of the material.
Inside we used water resistance wide planks European oak look-a-like laminated flooring. the floor is continues throughout the entire home (except the bathrooms of course ? ).
A gray/white and a touch of earth tones for the wall colors to bring some brightness to the house.
The center focal point of the house is the transitional farmhouse kitchen with real reclaimed wood floating shelves and custom-made island vegetables/fruits baskets on a full extension hardware.
take a look at the clean and unique countertop cloudburst-concrete by caesarstone it has a "raw" finish texture.
The master bathroom is made entirely from natural slate stone in different sizes, wall mounted modern vanity and a fantastic shower system by Signature Hardware.
Guest bathroom was lightly remodeled as well with a new 66"x36" Mariposa tub by Kohler with a single piece quartz slab installed above it.

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

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Free consultation for landscape design!
Peabody Landscape Group
Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

SET INCLUDES:
2 Door Slabs
2 steel rails 6.6FT each
Hangers with wheels
Door Stops
Floor Guide
Brackets
Anti-Jump pins
Installation Manual
Screws for hardware
Doors are not pre-drilled!
Thickness of the door slab is 40 mm or 1 9/16".
Upgrade your interior design with the Planum collection's Modern Barn Bypass Doors, designed to add style and functionality to your home or office. Made of wood with solid core construction, finished in a sleek White color, and flush with aluminum strips inserted, these doors offer a contemporary look with a touch of elegance.
Part of the Planum collection, available at Brooklyn Doors, these modern barn bypass doors slide smoothly and efficiently, making them ideal for areas where space is limited. The white color of the doors adds a sense of openness and brightness, making any room feel larger and more inviting.
With their solid core construction, these doors provide excellent sound insulation, ensuring privacy and reducing noise transmission. Whether you're looking to create a home office, media room, or bedroom, these doors are the perfect solution for adding privacy and style.
Customize your Modern Barn Bypass Doors according to your needs and preferences with different sizes, finishes, and handle styles. Brooklyn Doors offers a wide range of options, allowing you to create doors that match your interior and complement your style.
In summary, the Modern Barn Bypass Doors in White color from Planum's collection are a perfect solution for those looking to add a contemporary touch to their interior while maximizing space and ensuring privacy. These doors are not only stylish but also functional, making them an excellent investment for modern homes and offices. Whether you're renovating your existing space or building a new one, these doors are the perfect choice for creating a stylish and functional interior.
SOLID CORE
Solid wood with honeycomb core made by laminated wood with honeycomb using Ciplex technology.
CIPLEX by SARTO
High-end film layer that is applied on top of the laminated wood with honeycomb Made in Italy.
NO FORMALDEHYDE
Environmentally friendly using only latest eco-friendly materials. Company requires use of only the safest materials. ?We care about our planet, the environment and you and your loved ones. ?Sarto Doors are Ideal for use in hospitals and childcare centers.
SOUND ATTENUATION
Door's 40mm thick solid wood with honeycomb construction yields 30% noise reduction over standard doors.
CONSTRUCTION
Door is manufactured from a single piece of wood with honeycomb and will give several generations of normal usage with minimal care.

Built in the early 1950s, this small urban townhouse is located in North Old Town Alexandria in an area currently undergoing major redevelopment. The neighborhood is popular with, and affordable for, young people and families, and very convenient to Washington, DC.
In its heyday, the townhouse touted a stately brick exterior, plaster walls, tongue and groove wood flooring and beautiful wooden staircase. Sixty years later, however, the homeowners were faced with crumbling masonry, sagging floors, a double layer of wallpaper over the plaster walls, a crumbling staircase, a dysfunctional kitchen and small, dark second floor rooms. Additionally, the basement had a low ceiling, moldy and cinder block walls, no plumbing and a large boiler taking up most of the space.
The homeowners’ goal was to restore the exterior’s historic look while creating an interior up-to-date for the 21st Century. To turn their vision into reality, they turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes.
Design Solutions
To maintain the townhome’s historic exterior, the Michael Nash team carefully removed, salvaged, restored and reused existing brick masonry. Matching fascia boards and windows were combined with existing windows to complete the exterior renovation.
All interior walls were gutted and reframed. New electrical work, new insulation and new drywall were installed. Much of the home’s original trim was salvaged and reused, as was a piece of art glass, all to keep a bit of the past in the renovation.
The sagging subfloors were fixed, new hard wood floors were installed and a new staircase and railing were designed in a style similar to the original.
The solid wall between the kitchen and the dining room was removed, plumbing was relocated for a new sink location and the kitchen got expanded with an island into the dining room. Closet and plumbing stacks were relocated to allow a new space for fridge. Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and custom cabinetry highlight the new modern kitchen.
The plan called for redesigning the three bedrooms on the second floor to allow a larger bathroom, walk-in closet and wider hallways. In addition to new roofing, a large skylight was installed to allow natural light into the bathroom and the upper hallway.
The basement was totally revamped. New plumbing was put in place for a full bathroom, laundry room and a den. New e-grass window was installed in the basement to bring this basement up to current building codes.
This homeowners love the neighborhood and now their home gives them the opportunity to stay in the same location.

Don't forget to check out the beautiful dark stained beams on the ceiling. These were lighter before the remodel.
Holiday Kitchens Cabinets make an appearance in this kitchen with their Canterbury door style. The perimeter cabinets are painted Antique White while the island cabinets are cerused in Cyprus with a Mink wash.
Atop the cabinets, you'll find Camria quartz around the perimeter & island bar in Canongate with Dekton in Entzo on the lower part of the island. The sink is Blanco's Precis granite sink in White. Kohler makes a showing with their Sensate faucet in oil rubbed bronze to match the finish on the rest of the hardware.
Some of the other features of this kitchen include a backsplash done with Insulation & Supply's Urbane line in Soho and hardwood flooring from Mannington's Hickory 3/8" Random line in Fawn.
The rest of the kitchen is set up to make cooking convenient with appliance garages, pull out utensil drawers, pull up mixer storage, verticle storage for cooking sheets, and a pantry with layers of shelves easy access to all those important ingredients This homeowner can truly have everything their fingertips.

The Designer's Choice Collection from Amarr features triple-layer construction and superior insulation R-value of 13.35 or 19.40. These durable, low-maintenance garage doors give you the ultimate in quiet operation and energy efficiency.
Photo: Amarr Designer's Choice Collection Bead Board panel design with Stockton window inserts and Blue Ridge Handles and Hninges in True White.

4-layer steel carriage-house garage doors with a faux-wood finish.
2" Intellicore® polyurethane insulation with a thermal break. This garage door has an 18.4 R-value.
please visit www.clopaydoors.com

Transform the look and performance of your home with this beautiful new garage door installation. This door features a 3-layer insulated overlay construction with a durable steel back, providing exceptional strength, improved energy efficiency, and quieter operation. Built to last and designed to enhance your home's curb appeal, it's the perfect combination of style, durability, and performance.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH

Nestled in a wooded area in the Pacific Northwest, the 1800 sf Passive Cedar Haus was built as a retirement home. The Artisans Group designed the layout of the home, mindful of aging in place, and working to ensure that the home blended in with the surrounding natural beauty. The project meets a complex program, with an unheated sleeping porch for a master bedroom, a screened porch, a 600 sf caretakers apartment/mother in law unit, large wood shop, plus a two car carport. The home seamlessly integrates a floating cedar tongue and groove roof with large sheltering overhangs, clerestory windows, and language of cedar slats for privacy screens and doors inside and out. The warm, natural materials of wood and cork for the interior palette are punctuated by lively accents and stunning fixtures.
This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the main living area, gives an expansive view of the surrounding Northwest forest. The tops of these windows reveal the interior cedar clad and the up-swept soffits on the home’s exterior, creating a floating ceiling effect. Slatted spruce wood fly-overs break up the vertical areas of the great room and define separate areas that would otherwise feel like an overwhelmingly expansive space.
Photography by: Cheryl Ramsay of Ramsay Photography

This gorgeous glass front wine cellar was built in a downstairs basement area within this Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles home overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Contemporary Modern architecture with a mix of rustic features line this Los Angeles Home - with this stunning glass wine room riding those same lines. Stone layered walls with dual paned glass windows and front make for a real stunning showpiece of a wine cellar from the outside looking in.
Wine Cellar Design and Wine Cellar Installation come naturally to the Wine Cellar Builders at Vintage Cellars. Wine Rooms consistently include more glass as a design feature in recent years, and this masterpiece is no exception in showing off these magnificient wines on display.
Unique Design features within this Glass wine room include dual waterfall displays, LED lit high reveal display rows, floor to ceiling Horizontal full reveal display, and matching stained ceiling beams.
Modern Wine Cellars incorporating glass should utilize dual paned glass to minimize heat loss. Glass, especially single pane, is not a great insulator and can cause wine cellars to lose cooling ability and force cooling units to run more regularly.
Master Wine Cellar Builders at Vintage Cellars specialize in wine rooms, wine display, wine racking, wine cellar cooling, wine closets, everything else wine cellar related. We do all applications of wine cellars, wine rooms, wine closets in areas spanning San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, and Nationwide. Vintage Cellars designs and installs wine cellars in various styles ranging from contemporary and modern to rustic, shabby chic, and classic.
Vintage Cellars has built gorgeous custom wine cellars and wine storage rooms across the United States and World for over 25 years. We are your go-to business for anything wine cellar and wine storage related! Whether you're interested in a wine closet, wine racking, custom wine racks, a custom wine cellar door, or a cooling system for your existing space, Vintage Cellars has you covered!
We carry all kinds of wine cellar cooling and refrigeration systems, incuding: Breezaire, CellarCool, WhisperKool, Wine Guardian, CellarPro and Commercial systems.
We also carry many types of Wine Refrigerators, Wine Cabinets, and wine racking types, including La Cache, Marvel, N'Finity, Transtherm, Vinotheque, Vintage Series, Credenza, Walk in wine rooms, Climadiff, Riedel, Fontenay, and VintageView.
Vintage Cellars also does work in many styles, including Contemporary and Modern, Rustic, Farmhouse, Traditional, Craftsman, Industrial, Mediterranean, Mid-Century, Industrial and Eclectic.
Some locations we cover often include: San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Corona Del Mar, Del Mar, La Jolla, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Huntington Beach, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Orange County, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Bel Air, Los Angeles, Encinitas, Cardiff, Coronado, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, San Marino, Ladera Heights, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Westwood, Hancock Park, Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove, Laguna Niguel, Torrey Pines, Thousand Oaks, Coto De Caza, Coronado Island, San Francisco, Danville, Walnut Creek, Marin, Tiburon, Hillsborough, Berkeley, Oakland, Napa, Sonoma, Agoura Hills, Hollywood Hills, Laurel Canyon, Sausalito, Mill Valley, San Rafael, Piedmont, Paso Robles, Carmel, Pebble Beach
Contact Vintage Cellars today with any of your Wine Cellar needs!
(800) 876-8789
Vintage Cellars
904 Rancheros Drive
San Marcos, California 92069
(800) 876-8789

Kathy Muir
Example of a mid-sized trendy two-car garage design in Philadelphia
Example of a mid-sized trendy two-car garage design in Philadelphia

If your living room has several windows, install energy efficient cellular shades. They provide a layer of insulation to help keep your rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH

Nestled in a wooded area in the Pacific Northwest, the 1800 sf Passive Cedar Haus was built as a retirement home. The Artisans Group designed the layout of the home, mindful of aging in place, and working to ensure that the home blended in with the surrounding natural beauty. The project meets a complex program, with an unheated sleeping porch for a master bedroom, a screened porch, a 600 sf caretakers apartment/mother in law unit, large wood shop, plus a two car carport. The home seamlessly integrates a floating cedar tongue and groove roof with large sheltering overhangs, clerestory windows, and language of cedar slats for privacy screens and doors inside and out. The warm, natural materials of wood and cork for the interior palette are punctuated by lively accents and stunning fixtures.
This ultra energy efficient home relies on extremely high levels of insulation, air-tight detailing and construction, and the implementation of high performance, custom made European windows and doors by Zola Windows. Zola’s ThermoPlus Clad line, which boasts R-11 triple glazing and is thermally broken with a layer of patented German Purenit®, was selected for the project. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the main living area, gives an expansive view of the surrounding Northwest forest. The tops of these windows reveal the interior cedar clad and the up-swept soffits on the home’s exterior, creating a floating ceiling effect. Slatted spruce wood fly-overs break up the vertical areas of the great room and define separate areas that would otherwise feel like an overwhelmingly expansive space.
Photography by: Cheryl Ramsay of Ramsay Photography

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

Don't forget to check out the beautiful dark stained beams on the ceiling. These were lighter before the remodel.
Holiday Kitchens Cabinets make an appearance in this kitchen with their Canterbury door style. The perimeter cabinets are painted Antique White while the island cabinets are cerused in Cyprus with a Mink wash.
Atop the cabinets, you'll find Camria quartz around the perimeter & island bar in Canongate with Dekton in Entzo on the lower part of the island. The sink is Blanco's Precis granite sink in White. Kohler makes a showing with their Sensate faucet in oil rubbed bronze to match the finish on the rest of the hardware.
Some of the other features of this kitchen include a backsplash done with Insulation & Supply's Urbane line in Soho and hardwood flooring from Mannington's Hickory 3/8" Random line in Fawn.
The rest of the kitchen is set up to make cooking convenient with appliance garages, pull out utensil drawers, pull up mixer storage, verticle storage for cooking sheets, and a pantry with layers of shelves easy access to all those important ingredients This homeowner can truly have everything their fingertips.
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