This residence is situated along a cherry tree–lined street characterized by predominantly contemporary homes informed by traditional forms. Within this context, the client sought to create a distinctly modern house, drawing inspiration from mid-century design principles.

 

The initial program envisioned a conventional arrangement: a two-story structure set above a walkout basement. The main level was to accommodate entry, living, dining, and kitchen functions, along with a guest suite designed for accessibility by aging parents, and supporting spaces including a two-car garage, mudroom, and laundry. The upper level was planned to include a primary suite, a bedroom suite for the clients’ young daughter, and an additional guest room. The outdoor program called for a pool, associated patios, and shaded gathering areas.

Through the design process, it became clear that this configuration would result in a building whose massing felt overly large and out of scale with its surroundings. In response, we proposed an alternative organizational strategy that repositions the primary living spaces at the lower level, allowing direct, at-grade access to the rear yard. This approach reduces the perceived scale of the house from the street while strengthening its connection to the landscape.

 

Arrival is marked by a bridge that spans a sunken garden, introducing a moment of transition while bringing natural light into the dining area below. From the entry, a catwalk provides circulation to the primary and daughter’s suites, overlooking the main living level and reinforcing a sense of spatial continuity. A third-level guest suite—referred to as the “sky box”—is accessed via a central stair tower that vertically connects all levels of the home. This elevated volume hovers above the primary roofline, forming a covered porch accessed from the primary suite and offering expansive views over the rear yard and the wooded landscape beyond.

 

The residence is clad in horizontal cedar planks, complemented by travertine stone used for garden walls and site retaining elements. The plan takes the form of a fragmented “Z,” allowing the building to settle into the site while shaping a sequence of varied outdoor spaces that support both privacy and gathering.