Stanford Mid-Century Modern Remodel Addition by Klopf Architecture

The house designed by Roger Lee in 1962 was acquired by the current owners in nearly its original state, as the former occupants chose to postpone most maintenance tasks over the years. The clients managed to look past the outdated materials and finishes, including single-pane glass and uninsulated walls, and they sought the expertise of Klopf Architecture to assist in expanding and modernizing the entire residence, creating a space for the family to settle into and enjoy for many years ahead. It was essential that the new designs reflected Lee’s original vision, not only due to the clients’ admiration for mid-century modern architecture but also because the house was recognized as historical. The Stanford Real Estate Office mandates a rigorous design review to protect the community’s integrity, which Klopf Architecture was pleased to accommodate in their updated designs.

Similar to many original mid-century modern residences, the house was designed to suit the 1960s lifestyle, characterized by smaller rooms and limited, framed views. The initial conditions guided the family of four in updating the home to better accommodate their contemporary way of living. Klopf devised a comprehensive gut renovation and significant addition to modernize the house for the 21st century, providing the necessary living space for the client’s family. The newly enlarged house added approximately 1,100 square feet, resulting in a bright, comfortable, and family-friendly environment that fully capitalizes on the stunning southwestern views extending to the hills beyond. The enclosed garage contributed an additional 240 square feet of covered storage space.

A damaged swimming pool had become an unattractive feature dominating the backyard, making it one of the first elements to be removed during the renovation. Collaborating with Outer Space Landscape Architects, the family requested a blend of serene outdoor patio areas that seamlessly integrate with the native landscaping, enhancing their views toward the natural greenery of the surrounding trees. Filling in the old pool was a practical approach to extending the living spaces outward. The house’s orientation was designed to appreciate the views, yet the original architecture only offered the first homeowners limited glimpses of the exterior landscape.

Klopf successfully expanded those views, continuing and enhancing the original architecture to fully utilize the unobstructed natural vistas across the rear facade of the house. Small horizontal openings in the primary bedroom and office were replaced with significantly taller windows that now follow the angled roofline upward, extending across nearly the entire facade. The team collaborated with Western Windows, whose designs included an oblique-shaped, operable casement that allowed the design to rise with the slope. A new corner office added to the primary suite provides a bright and functional work-from-home solution, offering distant views and increased natural light from the expanded window configuration that now wraps around the corner.

The existing lower level, originally designed by Lee as a utilitarian space, functioned as a wet pool room with a drain in the center of the floor, along with a bathroom, laundry, and storage areas. With no need for a pool room, Klopf transformed the area into a much more comfortable and functional living space, featuring a new family room and guest suite. The new areas enjoy convenient access to a new outdoor patio through floor-to-ceiling, full-width glass sliders.

Continuing along the rear facade, a previously exposed deck extending from the living room and hallway provided access to the backyard via a single set of stairs leading to the side of the house, which made sense when the pool was present. The redesigned deck was reimagined as an extension of the main living room and now functions as a second outdoor living area. A new slatted pergola overhead offers the homeowners welcome shade from the intense afternoon sun. A second set of stairs now establishes a better connection to the redesigned lower level. Klopf successfully reconfigured the spaces, extending the living room outward toward the views, which the family now considers the heart of the home, spending a significant amount of their time outdoors.

Inside, the original wood-burning Malm fireplace was beautifully restored, and a gas burner was added to meet California‘s stringent air quality standards. It now sits in front of a wall of Heath accent tiles, replacing a dated red brick wall. A new taller window allows more light and views into the refreshed interior living room. The original glass doors opposite the fireplace were replaced with larger sliders that, when fully opened, create a seamless transition to the new outdoor living area, making the two spaces feel like one cohesive area. The original utilitarian kitchen was unnecessarily tucked into the far back corner and closed off from the living room, prompting the clients to request Klopf to open it up and extend the kitchen forward for a more connected feel. Today, the significantly larger kitchen is linked to the living area, where a short wall with a cutout provides a visual connection to the kitchen and a convenient pass-through counter for serving guests. A new breakfast nook was also introduced to create an additional gathering spot for casual meals. Just outside, a new built-in outdoor grill and prep area extends the kitchen outdoors, connecting to a new dining area nestled among the trees, taking advantage of the views in the backyard.

Klopf was able to enlarge the other two bedrooms, add a new laundry room and half-bath, and convert the carport into an enclosed garage to provide additional storage space that was lost when the pool house was transformed into the family and guest room.

To preserve a historical connection to the original designs, the exterior siding was replicated on all exterior walls, a full-height stained glass window at the front entryway was restored, and an interior slatted screen element was echoed outside at the exterior entry courtyard and over the new outdoor living area to create a shade trellis. The new house stands proudly and shines against its new landscaping features while honoring and expanding upon the original intent of Roger Lee’s designs, epitomizing the comforts of indoor-outdoor living in Northern California.

• Completion year: 2020
• Klopf Architecture project team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane, Noel Andrade
• Contractor: ORB Construction, Brendan O’Reilly
• Structural engineer: Sezen and Moon
• Landscape architect: Outer space
• Furnishings and decoration: Urbanism Designs
• Photographer: Mariko Reed