The homeowner requested MHG Greens&Gardens to “spruce up” their well kept, but overgrown and monotonous garden. Both, the front and the backyard areas have excellent possibilities for their youngest daughter’s December wedding photo shooting, but they need to be brought into time. The garden was once the family meeting place, with the endless swimming pool parties, the weekend BBQ’s at the gazebo, but the children left for college, and… The challenge was to perk up this once a family garden kingdom, it wasn’t going to be an easy road to revitalization. There were thousands of family memories on each corner of this garden. We drew a plan, first we started in those areas that need to be worked on and that would make a difference, such as the side garden next to the cover patio. This specific area had several add on throw the years, and they were not too attractive, but extremely need. The home owner had added up to date utilities, solar power equipment and other modern technology necessary. Our challenge was to hide or cover all of them from the human eyes. We designed a live wall with Firebush, a semi-woody shrub with bright red flowers that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Rain Joe or ‘Sunshine’ Ligustrums were set in the front of the firebush hedge, because they perform well in full sun and are ideal as a low-growing hedge and fast-growing in the landscape. To add additional interest, we used two boulders and garlanded them with 'Born of Fire' Bromeliads. The plants were bordered with red mulch and zoysia grass. The gazebo had turn into the temporary storage space. All the outdoor kitchen equipment in the gazebo has been updated and the walkways were festooned. The existing palms on each gazebo walkways, a native coconut palm tree and a fox tail palm tree were surrounded with zoysia grass, ferns, caladiums, cordylines, and several old Spanish urns, family treasures found hidden in the garden, were creatively placed. The swimming pool’s back wall area was bejeweled with cordylines, Podocarpus conifers and Poinsettias. The swimming pool’s water feature and its three tiers of planters were adorned with Crineon (Festival Burgundy Cordyline/ Cordyline x 'JURred') a glossy, exceptionally dark, rich red-burgundy leaves that are spectacular during December (during the weeding days) with its light pink and white blooms and hedged by Café de la India shrubs (Rubiaceae flowering hedge). The top tier, the crown of the garden was decked with three species of Sansevieria. As I have heard from my childhood years, these plants are commonly known as cow tongue or mother-in-law’s tongue, but I also heard that they were used to attract good luck to the household and ward off evil spirits. “Without a doubt, that there will be classic and elegant weddings pictures at our spruced up tropical garden” said the father of the bride to MHG Greens&Gardens.

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