Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by John Sutton Photography.

Photo by Eric Rorer
Great room - contemporary dark wood floor great room idea in San Francisco with gray walls

William David Homes
Large farmhouse two-story concrete fiberboard beige garage photo in Houston with a metal roof

Living Room with paneling designed to hide the television and a local DVD player for easy access. (see drawer on right side of picture by window)
Example of a mid-sized trendy formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and a concealed tv

Assassi Productions
Inspiration for a modern dining room remodel with white walls

The original ranch style home was built in 1962 by the homeowner’s father. She grew up in this home; now her and her husband are only the second owners of the home. The existing foundation and a few exterior walls were retained with approximately 800 square feet added to the footprint along with a single garage to the existing two-car garage. The footprint of the home is almost the same with every room expanded. All the rooms are in their original locations; the kitchen window is in the same spot just bigger as well. The homeowners wanted a more open, updated craftsman feel to this ranch style childhood home. The once 8-foot ceilings were made into 9-foot ceilings with a vaulted common area. The kitchen was opened up and there is now a gorgeous 5 foot by 9 and a half foot Cambria Brittanicca slab quartz island.

Discover smart small apartment interior designs that blend contemporary elegance with cozy living areas, minimalist décor, and premium finishes. Explore ideas for ample natural light, versatile bedrooms, modern kitchens, and smart storage solutions tailored for urban living.

Project Team: Ben Awes, AIA, Principal-In-Charge, Bob Ganser AIA, Nate Dodge Photographer: Alyssa Lee www.alyssaleephotography.com
Trendy kitchen/dining room combo photo in Minneapolis with white walls

Living Room with paneling designed to hide the television and a local DVD player for easy access. (see drawer on right side of picture by window)
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace and a concealed tv

"Brandon Stengel - www.farmkidstudios.com”
Open concept kitchen - large industrial l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, marble countertops and subway tile backsplash

Small country master beige tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub photo in Orange County with a pedestal sink, light wood cabinets and green walls

Art Gray
Inspiration for a rustic exterior home remodel in Austin

Photo of a large farmhouse partial sun backyard landscaping in Columbus.

'Jade' green beans growing in a window box. With the right organic soil mix and plenty of water, green beans can thrive in window boxes or other containers. Photo by Steve Masley

All one open space.
Example of a mountain style bedroom design in Seattle

Technical Imagery Studios
Inspiration for a large 1960s single-wall vinyl floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a large trendy women's light wood floor and beige floor walk-in closet design in New York with flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman gray one-story stone gable roof remodel in Cincinnati with a shingle roof