Mid-century Iconic Eichler Home

Designed by the mid-century architect Quincy Jones for builder Joseph Eichler, the house was one of about 125 that were built in this tract in the early 1960's & have only recently been recognized for the elegance and economy they effortlessly exhibit. The entry to the home is through the central courtyard which provides light and ventilation and acts as an outdoor gathering place for family and friends. In order to repair damages and to modernize the kitchen, bathrooms, and closets, we needed to add only 235 sqft to the footprint of the house. Wide side yards and ample existing roof overhands meant the additions were subtle and in keeping with the home's tradition, scale, and proportion. The new gallery kitchen has maple cabinets, black granite countertops, & stainless steel appliances. Bathrooms are similarly appointed. New roofing and roof insulation made the home watertight & better insulated against heat and cold. Fortunately, large sliding glass doors, a courtyard building plan, prevailing breezes & sensible orientation keep the house passively temperate. The floors are stained concrete and the walls are a combination of the exterior siding, mahogany panels and drywalls. The ceilings are painted wood planks with exposed structural beams. The only part of the existing site improvements to remain was the pool shell. A new French gray plaster finish absorbs heat from the sunlight that, along with the new solar heating system, provides warm water for the pool 6 months of the year. The landscape selection was meant to reflect the local climate and provide color and interest throughout the seasons.