Located in Santa Clara’s Cascade Park neighborhood, Dayton Ave Residence transforms a depleted 1958 tract home into a custom residence for a young family of four through a thoughtful partial demolition and expansion. Set on a compact 55-by-55-foot urban lot, the design addresses the challenges of privacy, daylight, and close neighboring homes by organizing the residence around a central courtyard that brings light, openness, and connection to the interior.
The home transitions from a modest, street-facing single-story expression to a dramatic double-height family room that links the courtyard with the backyard, creating a seamless relationship between indoor and outdoor living. A mono-slope roof at the front gives way to a distinctive butterfly roof over the second story, unifying the private family spaces while establishing a bold architectural identity. Recessed windows, cantilevered overhangs, and carefully positioned upper-level volumes enhance natural light, improve energy performance, and preserve the courtyard’s year-round usability.
The interior design emphasizes functional, family-centered living through clean detailing, efficient layouts, and durable material selections. Spaces such as the shared bathroom between the daughters’ bedrooms demonstrate a balance of practicality and refined design, reinforcing the home's cohesive contemporary character. Together with a thoughtfully integrated ADU, the project reimagines a modest suburban house as a light-filled, modern family home that responds sensitively to its urban context.
