This minimal home was beautifully designed around a central courtyard by John Lum Architecture, situated amidst the serene beauty of Menlo Park, California. Surrounded by heritage redwood trees and mature oaks, this sleek and modern dwelling features an enjoyable indoor-outdoor living experience.

The architectural layout comprises of four distinct pavilions adorned with wooden cladding and interconnected by glass walkways that envelop a central courtyard. These pavilions seamlessly extend into a spacious backyard, complete with a raised pool and areas for lounging.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT John Lum Architecture INTERIOR DESIGN Stephanie Zaharias Design CONTRACTOR Art of Construction

As you approach the entrance, a covered walkway gracefully leads you to a soaring double-volume living and dining area. This impressive 6,922-square-foot abode encompasses four bedrooms and six bathrooms.

Bookended by outdoor spaces, the pavilion highlights the simple material palette of cedar, blackened steel, glass, and concrete, and is the backdrop for the homeowner’s collected art pieces.

The family of four requested that their new home be a reflection of their characters, blending his crisp-line, ultra-modern aesthetic with her flair for artisan materials and bold blues. With two teenage daughters, the house is as practical as it is minimal.

Enlisting the help of Stephanie Zaharias Design, the owners selected organic patterns and durable finishes that integrate the project into its natural environment. Comfortable furniture evokes livability. Hard surfaces, from glass panels to backsplash tiles, offer long-lasting resilience.

A color-block rug adds an element of play and can withstand the wear and tear of everyday living. Built-in casework maximizes space. Minimally framed windows and a dynamic facade filter in sunlight and fresh air.

House Features: Solar, radiant heating, whole house fan, natural daylighting strategies including basement lightwells, operable skylights that provide stack-effect ventilation.

Above: In the double-height great room, the porcelain slab fireplace surround is by The Fireplace Element.

What We Love: This two-story minimal home in Menlo Park offers distinct living zones related to family lifestyle needs, connected by glass walkways. Views into a central courtyard garden are offered through expansive floor-to-ceiling walls of glass, which helps to blur indoor-outdoor boundaries. Overall, this beautiful home is modern, open, and durable while focusing on passive energy solutions to help offset annual electricity costs.

Tell Us: What are your thoughts on the design of this home? Are there any details you would like to have seen done differently? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Check out a couple of other amazing Northern California home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign: California LEED-Platinum home centered on three living pavilions and Tour a warm and welcoming modern farmhouse family home in Menlo Park.

Above: The custom dining table was fabricated by Pollioni Design.

Above: This custom kitchen features a handmade ceramic Fireclay Tile backsplash.

Above: In the kitchen, the fridge is Sub-Zero, the dishwasher is Bosch, the range is Wolf and the countertops are Caesarstone.

Above: Teen girls homework work with a built-in window seat.

Above: The built-in window seat features storage drawers below and a Roll and Hill sconce.

Above: The main bathroom has a custom wood wall treatment that acts as a headboard.

Above: In the main bathroom, the handmade tile is by Ann Sacks and Fireclay Tile.

Above: The main bathroom features a custom-designed vanity and a backsplash of handmade tile by Ann Sacks.

Above: This guest bathroom features a custom vanity, wall sconces by Roll and Hill, and a Watermark faucet.

Above: A guest bathroom shower with handmade ceramic tile by Pratt & Larson and Watermark shower fixtures.

Above: In the bathroom, handmade Pratt & Larson ceramic tile.

Above: This bathroom features a custom walnut vanity and wall sconces by Allied Maker.

Above: A guest bathroom with a custom white oak vanity.

PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Dyer Photography