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Eichler-inspired home in California opens to the outdoors

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Klopf Architecture and contractor Calvert Ventures were responsible for the design of this warm, modern, Eichler-inspired home in San Mateo, a city in the high-tech enclave of Silicon Valley, California. The home features an open floor plan layout with a seamless connection between indoors and out. This is a new build, where an original Eichler had once stood and unfortunately burned to the ground. The homeowners were looking to expand their living spaces to cater to multi-generational living. They stressed the focus of retaining the Eichler style and blending in with the other neighborhood homes.

What remained of the old property was not usable, so the architects had to begin from scratch. The new home pushes the boundaries of the Eichler approach. Since the old Eichler homes were not designed to maximize their site, the custom home was able to take advantage of this. “In this case, a longer house that opens up sideways to the south fit the lot better than the original square-ish house that used to open to the rear (west),” states Klopf Architects.

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The 2,606 square foot, three bedroom, three bathroom property was designed in the form of an L-Shape. An expansive wall of glass, in addition to sliding glass doors, face sideways instead of to the rear (typical of Eichler homes). The walls of glass connects the indoors with a beautiful swimming pool and verdant landscaping that was the vision of Arterra Landscape Architects.

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At first glance from the exterior facade, you would think this was your typical Eichler home. Characterized by overhanging flat roof eaves, dark gray vertical siding and an orange solid panel front doorway. However, this home was designed for the 21st Century, with some beautiful modifications. Inside, you will not find post and beams. In its place, western red cedar covers the ceiling, adding plenty of warmth.

This material runs continuously from indoors to out, creating a seamless connection (which is typical of Eichlers). Unlike your average Eichler home, this one “conceals a cavity for lighting, wiring, and insulation,” states Klopf Architects. You will find soaring ceilings, open and spacious rooms, all modern updates. The master bathroom both luminous and spacious, featuring a separate tub and shower as well as a water closet… and lots of storage. The best part, a large two-car garage and additional room for storage.

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What We Love: This Eichler-inspired home features everything that resembles your typical Eicher pad, but with a modernized twist. We love how this home takes advantage of its site, capturing the natural beauty that surrounds it. The indoor-outdoor connection that stays true to Eichler style and the wood ceiling that infuses warmth into this modern abode.

Readers, what are your thoughts? Do you like the architects design, from concept to fruition? Please share with us in the comments below!

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A side note from the architects: “During construction in the rough framing stage, Klopf thought the front of the house appeared too tall even though the house had looked right in the design renderings (probably because the house is uphill from the street). So Klopf Architecture paid the framer to change the roofline from how we had designed it to be lower along the front, allowing the home to blend in better with the neighborhood. One project goal was for people driving up the street to pass the home without immediately noticing there is an “imposter” on this lot, and making that change was essential to achieve that goal.”

Photos: Mariko Reed / These images were sent to us courtesy of Klopf Architects

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