The architect’s plans had a single island with large windows on both main walls. The one window overlooked the unattractive side of a neighbor’s house while the other was not large enough to see the beautiful large back yard. The kitchen entry location made the mudroom extremely small and left only a few design options for the kitchen layout. The almost 14’ high ceilings also gave lots of opportunities for a unique design, but care had to be taken to still make the space feel warm and cozy. After drawing four design options, one was chosen that relocated the entry from the mudroom, making the mudroom a lot more accessible. A prep island across from the range and an entertaining island were included. The entertaining island included a beverage refrigerator for guests to congregate around and to help them stay out of the kitchen work areas. The small island appeared to be floating on legs and incorporates a sink and single dishwasher drawer for easy clean up of pots and pans.

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

Dining Room with stained beams Stokesman Luxury Homes BEST of HOUZZ: Ranked #1 in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia Custom Luxury Home Builder Earning 5 STAR REVIEWS from our clients, your neighbors, for over 15 years, since 2003. Stokesman Luxury Homes is a boutique custom home builder that specializes in luxury residential new construction in Buckhead. Honored to be ranked #1 in Buckhead by Houzz.

Transitional porch photo in Atlanta with decking and a roof extension

Photography: Nanne Springer
Danish deck photo in Toronto with no cover

Sometimes great things come from small things and this entryway project was exactly like that. This very small yet interesting project started almost by accident. Entryway TileI had completed a tile job a few months before and had some high quality porcelain tile left over. It was nice tile so I was hesitant to toss it out but after moving the pile around my shop for several months I finally decided to throw it away. While loading my pickup with miscellaneous construction garbage – and this great tile – one of my neighbors stopped by for a chat about some of my recent projects. I showed him the great left over tile that I was throwing away and asked him if he had any interest in taking it off my hands – for free. He said he was actually thinking about replacing his existing tile landing at his house because although it had been redone just a few years ago, it had cracked. We went over and took a look at his landing and decided the scrap tile might be a perfect solution. tile floorI told my neighbor “you come up with any design you want, and I’ll bring that to life.” He came up with an idea and sketched out the idea within a couple of days. As soon as I looked at the sketches, I knew it was going to be a very challenging project, but I also knew it would be a rewarding project I would be proud to put the Corvus name on. We took the final sketch and imported it into a graphics design program to make the focal point of the design work within the existing space and fine tune the look of the project to fit the available space of the entryway. This was going to be a highly customized undertaking that was going to be all about the details. Because every tile had to be custom cut, I printed out the final design from the program to create a stencil to trace the outline on each tile. After all of the painstaking tile cutting, I laid it out in a mock-up on the entry floor. Then we were ready to overcome our next challenge – the flexing and moving sub floor. The existing tile landing that we were replacing had been installed just a few years earlier but had already cracked down the center. This fracture made me realize that we needed to find a way to somehow decouple the substrate from the finished tile surface to prevent the same problem from cropping up again. tile floor entrywayI decided to go with a Schluter-DITRA™ tile underlay for this job. Working with DITRA™ was surprisingly simple. The only thing you need to remember is to use unmodified thinset mortar when setting tile over this substrate, because modified thinset would take a very long time to cure. We also decided to use QuartzLock™ urethane grout for the floor because it expands and contracts when the floor flexes under foot traffic and could help prevent future cracking. In the end the project came out great! My neighbor is thrilled and can’t wait to show it off to anyone that stops by. This is a great example of how custom work can really amp up the appeal of your home and how a small change can make a big difference in the look of your home.

Kitchen Photo. "Business in the Front, Party in the Back" This project provided Mark with the opportunity to revisit a project from the first year of his practice. Our clients were the third owners since Mark first worked on this house in 1987. The original project had consisted of a small addition to the rear of an existing single-story (over garage) house. The new owners wanted to completely remodel the house and add two floors. In addition they wanted it to be MODERN. This was a perfect fit for where the firm had evolved to over the years, but the neighbors weren't having it. The neighbors were very organized and didn’t like the idea of a large modern structure in what was a mostly traditional block. We were able to work with the neighbors to agree to a design that was Craftsman on the front and modern on the interior and rear. Because of this dichotomy, we sometimes refer to this as the "Mullet House". We were able to minimize the apparent height of the facade by hiding the top floor behind a dormered roof. Unique features of this house include a stunning roof deck with glass guardrails, a custom stair with a zigzag edge and a guardrail composed of vertical stainless steel tubes and an asymmetrical fireplace composition. Photo by Michael David Rose

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.

Master Bathroom Photo. "Business in the Front, Party in the Back" This project provided Mark with the opportunity to revisit a project from the first year of his practice. Our clients were the third owners since Mark first worked on this house in 1987. The original project had consisted of a small addition to the rear of an existing single-story (over garage) house. The new owners wanted to completely remodel the house and add two floors. In addition they wanted it to be MODERN. This was a perfect fit for where the firm had evolved to over the years, but the neighbors weren't having it. The neighbors were very organized and didn’t like the idea of a large modern structure in what was a mostly traditional block. We were able to work with the neighbors to agree to a design that was Craftsman on the front and modern on the interior and rear. Because of this dichotomy, we sometimes refer to this as the "Mullet House". We were able to minimize the apparent height of the facade by hiding the top floor behind a dormered roof. Unique features of this house include a stunning roof deck with glass guardrails, a custom stair with a zigzag edge and a guardrail composed of vertical stainless steel tubes and an asymmetrical fireplace composition. Photo by Michael David Rose.

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.

Sometimes great things come from small things and this entryway project was exactly like that. This very small yet interesting project started almost by accident. Entryway TileI had completed a tile job a few months before and had some high quality porcelain tile left over. It was nice tile so I was hesitant to toss it out but after moving the pile around my shop for several months I finally decided to throw it away. While loading my pickup with miscellaneous construction garbage – and this great tile – one of my neighbors stopped by for a chat about some of my recent projects. I showed him the great left over tile that I was throwing away and asked him if he had any interest in taking it off my hands – for free. He said he was actually thinking about replacing his existing tile landing at his house because although it had been redone just a few years ago, it had cracked. We went over and took a look at his landing and decided the scrap tile might be a perfect solution. tile floorI told my neighbor “you come up with any design you want, and I’ll bring that to life.” He came up with an idea and sketched out the idea within a couple of days. As soon as I looked at the sketches, I knew it was going to be a very challenging project, but I also knew it would be a rewarding project I would be proud to put the Corvus name on. We took the final sketch and imported it into a graphics design program to make the focal point of the design work within the existing space and fine tune the look of the project to fit the available space of the entryway. This was going to be a highly customized undertaking that was going to be all about the details. Because every tile had to be custom cut, I printed out the final design from the program to create a stencil to trace the outline on each tile. After all of the painstaking tile cutting, I laid it out in a mock-up on the entry floor. Then we were ready to overcome our next challenge – the flexing and moving sub floor. The existing tile landing that we were replacing had been installed just a few years earlier but had already cracked down the center. This fracture made me realize that we needed to find a way to somehow decouple the substrate from the finished tile surface to prevent the same problem from cropping up again. tile floor entrywayI decided to go with a Schluter-DITRA™ tile underlay for this job. Working with DITRA™ was surprisingly simple. The only thing you need to remember is to use unmodified thinset mortar when setting tile over this substrate, because modified thinset would take a very long time to cure. We also decided to use QuartzLock™ urethane grout for the floor because it expands and contracts when the floor flexes under foot traffic and could help prevent future cracking. In the end the project came out great! My neighbor is thrilled and can’t wait to show it off to anyone that stops by. This is a great example of how custom work can really amp up the appeal of your home and how a small change can make a big difference in the look of your home.

Sometimes great things come from small things and this entryway project was exactly like that. This very small yet interesting project started almost by accident. Entryway TileI had completed a tile job a few months before and had some high quality porcelain tile left over. It was nice tile so I was hesitant to toss it out but after moving the pile around my shop for several months I finally decided to throw it away. While loading my pickup with miscellaneous construction garbage – and this great tile – one of my neighbors stopped by for a chat about some of my recent projects. I showed him the great left over tile that I was throwing away and asked him if he had any interest in taking it off my hands – for free. He said he was actually thinking about replacing his existing tile landing at his house because although it had been redone just a few years ago, it had cracked. We went over and took a look at his landing and decided the scrap tile might be a perfect solution. tile floorI told my neighbor “you come up with any design you want, and I’ll bring that to life.” He came up with an idea and sketched out the idea within a couple of days. As soon as I looked at the sketches, I knew it was going to be a very challenging project, but I also knew it would be a rewarding project I would be proud to put the Corvus name on. We took the final sketch and imported it into a graphics design program to make the focal point of the design work within the existing space and fine tune the look of the project to fit the available space of the entryway. This was going to be a highly customized undertaking that was going to be all about the details. Because every tile had to be custom cut, I printed out the final design from the program to create a stencil to trace the outline on each tile. After all of the painstaking tile cutting, I laid it out in a mock-up on the entry floor. Then we were ready to overcome our next challenge – the flexing and moving sub floor. The existing tile landing that we were replacing had been installed just a few years earlier but had already cracked down the center. This fracture made me realize that we needed to find a way to somehow decouple the substrate from the finished tile surface to prevent the same problem from cropping up again. tile floor entrywayI decided to go with a Schluter-DITRA™ tile underlay for this job. Working with DITRA™ was surprisingly simple. The only thing you need to remember is to use unmodified thinset mortar when setting tile over this substrate, because modified thinset would take a very long time to cure. We also decided to use QuartzLock™ urethane grout for the floor because it expands and contracts when the floor flexes under foot traffic and could help prevent future cracking. In the end the project came out great! My neighbor is thrilled and can’t wait to show it off to anyone that stops by. This is a great example of how custom work can really amp up the appeal of your home and how a small change can make a big difference in the look of your home.

Master Bathroom Photo. "Business in the Front, Party in the Back" This project provided Mark with the opportunity to revisit a project from the first year of his practice. Our clients were the third owners since Mark first worked on this house in 1987. The original project had consisted of a small addition to the rear of an existing single-story (over garage) house. The new owners wanted to completely remodel the house and add two floors. In addition they wanted it to be MODERN. This was a perfect fit for where the firm had evolved to over the years, but the neighbors weren't having it. The neighbors were very organized and didn’t like the idea of a large modern structure in what was a mostly traditional block. We were able to work with the neighbors to agree to a design that was Craftsman on the front and modern on the interior and rear. Because of this dichotomy, we sometimes refer to this as the "Mullet House". We were able to minimize the apparent height of the facade by hiding the top floor behind a dormered roof. Unique features of this house include a stunning roof deck with glass guardrails, a custom stair with a zigzag edge and a guardrail composed of vertical stainless steel tubes and an asymmetrical fireplace composition. Photo by Michael David Rose.

Kitchen Photo. "Business in the Front, Party in the Back" This project provided Mark with the opportunity to revisit a project from the first year of his practice. Our clients were the third owners since Mark first worked on this house in 1987. The original project had consisted of a small addition to the rear of an existing single-story (over garage) house. The new owners wanted to completely remodel the house and add two floors. In addition they wanted it to be MODERN. This was a perfect fit for where the firm had evolved to over the years, but the neighbors weren't having it. The neighbors were very organized and didn’t like the idea of a large modern structure in what was a mostly traditional block. We were able to work with the neighbors to agree to a design that was Craftsman on the front and modern on the interior and rear. Because of this dichotomy, we sometimes refer to this as the "Mullet House". We were able to minimize the apparent height of the facade by hiding the top floor behind a dormered roof. Unique features of this house include a stunning roof deck with glass guardrails, a custom stair with a zigzag edge and a guardrail composed of vertical stainless steel tubes and an asymmetrical fireplace composition. Photo by Michael David Rose

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.

Beautiful Home for Sale Near Boquete is the Perfect Panama Real Estate Emerald Drive subdivision is located in El Frances, about 20 km (12 miles) south of downtown Boquete at the midpoint between Boquete and David. This beautiful split level open concept home features all-tiled 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms, a carport for 2-cars and sits on a 1,000m² (.25 acre). It is bounded on the back and sides by a rock wall. Total construction size is 260m², as follows: According to title Open construction area 62m² (667sf²); includes huge partially enclosed tiled and covered back terrace and front carport alongside a huge tiled and stylish veranda. Closed construction area 177m2 (1,905ft²) for the internal living area Added 2 years ago External cement pad with river rock exterior attached to house 5.639m X 3.658m or 21m² (18.5ft X 12ft or 222ft²) for utility storage/backup water tank & filtration system Bedrooms and Bathrooms Back and middle bedrooms come with custom made storage cabinets, drawers and clothes closets. Master Bedroom – 4.724m X 3.912m (15’6” X 12’10”) with 24,000BTU split unit A/C Master Bedroom walk-in closet – 4.267m X 2.235m (7’4” X 14’) with 4 custom made clothes closets, drawers and storage shelves. Master Bathroom – 4.267m X 2.667 (8’9”x14’) with glass enclosed shower, garden style tub, 2 sink vanity and custom made cabinets and drawers Back Bedroom – 3.454m X 3.962m (11’4” X 13’) Middle Bedroom – 3.962m X 3.327m (13’ X 10’11”) Middle Bathroom – 1.956m X 3.937m (6’5” X 12’11”); all tile floor and vanity, custom made cabinets and drawers, huge open walk-in tiled shower. Ceiling was recently replaced with stylish PVC. Living Room, Kitchen, and Dining Room Open concept with a 2-step down split level from living to dining room (and a single step down to back bedrooms). The living room and dining room are separated by tastefully placed columns. The living room and dining room feature custom made drapes. The living room has a 36,000BTU inverter split unit that cools most of the house when needed. The kitchen was completely remodeled about 6 months ago with custom designed cabinets, all-tiled counter tops, and an over-the-stove smoke extractor ventilated to the outside. In addition, ceiling was replaced with stylish PVC. The kitchen features a Samsung French-style refrigerator and an electric ceramic top stove. Living room – 5.131m X 4.978m (16’10” X 16’4”) Dining room – 4.978m X 4.013m (16’4” X 13’2”) Kitchen – 3.759m X 4.521m (12’4” X 14’10”) House Amenities Security – In the front, two custom-built solid metal security doors with keys that cannot be duplicated. – In the back, an outside custom built sliding door with metal security bars and a sliding glass door on the inside. Each door requires a key. – Additional aesthetically designed metal bars have been installed on all existing metal security windows providing a more hardened and enhanced security posture. – Infrastructure (wiring and conduit) has been installed and ready for the security system of your choice – Community has an active Vecinos Vigilantes program and daily police patrols. Neighbors communicate in real time via Whatsapp on two channels. In this community, neighbors know neighbors and who belongs here and who does not belong here. Electric – A whole-house surge protector has been installed at the electrical junction box to protect against lightning strikes. Each A/C unit also has an additional surge protector at the electrical outlet. – Water – Whole house water filtration system with five filters – 3 cartridge, 1 charcoal, and a UV sterilization filter. In addition, this water system features a 1,000 gallon backup water tank and a jet pump to maintain constant pressure. System is still under warranty. – Every room has a ceiling fan. – Internet and cable TV service is provided by Cableonda via a fiber optic connection with the promise of 100mb down and about 8-10 up. Outside Amenities Roof was cleaned and resealed about 2 months. About 29m (95ft) of custom-designed cement planters with river rock exteriors border the house. You’ll find flowers, tomatoes, spinach, herbs and other vegetation growing year round. In front of the cement planters, you’ll find about 25 meters (80ft) of cement walkways to step on during rainy season. In fact, you can maneuver nearly all around the back and sides of the house, work in the cement planters and not get your feet muddy. A custom water drainage system was designed and installed for this property. It routes most rain water from the roof to the roadside drainage system. It works very well. Out and about in the backyard, you’ll find some young fruit trees to include guanabana, (2) limón, melocotón, mangustin, and fig. We also have several active guandu bushes (pigeon peas) to add to your rice or feed your parrot. You’ll also find a small moringa tree, along with some eucalyptus, salvia, and artemisa bushes. The property has been maintained by the same gardener for over 7 years.

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.

Debbie Ballentine
Photo of a landscaping in San Francisco.

This single-family plus ADU project started out as a remodel. Through a very difficult and contentious planning process (over three years), it became a demolition and rebuild to appease neighbors, yielding a three-bedroom main house and a two-bedroom basement ADU. The design responds to the context using a sloped anterior roof that aligns with the neighbor’s to accentuate the dramatic views of downtown San Francisco.