The proprietors of this Palo Alto, California, home have always been quite enthused about their house, a midcentury tract home built by visionary developer-builder Joe Eichler. Nevertheless, they needed more room for hanging out as a family. Enter John Klopf, an architect experienced in working together with Eichler houses, who aided his customers expand their home in a way that respected the property’s design and history. Here’s how he did it.

at a Glance
Who lives here: An outdoorsy family with 2 children
Location: Palo Alto, California
Size: 2,418 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths

Klopf Architecture

Klopf and his contractor produced a brand new wing by filling what used to be a concrete terrace. The addition houses the core of the home: the living room along with the kitchen. It “blurs indoor-outdoor alive and is completely in line with Eichler’s lifestyle doctrine,” states Klopf.

Klopf Architecture

The family room is completely visible and connected into the remodeled kitchen and a casual eating area.

Klopf Architecture

The addition carries over the original home’s post-and-beam construction, ceiling and modern look, and capitalizes on its various ceiling heights. The living room has a 10-foot ceiling, and the remainder of the home comes with an 8-foot ceiling. “We utilized the 10-foot ceiling height in the kitchen, then transported that elevation over the family room too,” states Klopf.

Klopf Architecture

The remodeled kitchen replaces the old kitchen and a bath. Custom wood cabinetry, Caesarstone concrete countertops, a snowy glazed tile backsplash and flushed stainless steel appliances help keep matters simple and sleek.

Klopf Architecture

The adults can retire into the living room for peace and quiet while the children use the new family room, allowing for some separation between the generations — something Klopf states is essential to consider in an open-plan house like this.

Klopf Architecture

A NanaWall glass wall opens the living room into the pool area, bringing the outdoors in and expanding the living room.

Klopf Architecture

A stacked washer and dryer are all concealed in the cabinetry. A utility table on wheels can be moved wherever it is needed.

Klopf Architecture

A brand new toilet (much end of picture) was added, making a master suite. Klopf heeded the homeowners’ request to swathe the walls and ceilings in white.

Klopf Architecture

The property setback line was on a fairly sharp angle from the house, so Klopf created a sawtooth-shaped inclusion rather than a rectangular inclusion, providing the homeowners a little bathroom and a separate vanity room next to the bedroom.

The bathroom’s rear door opens up into the pool area, providing the customers immediate access to the outdoor location.

Klopf Architecture

The first house area currently has a sleek, dark stucco finish, while all of the additions and the garage have horizontal cedar siding.

More about Joseph Eichler

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