For this 5,000 square foot, six-bedroom/six-bathroom home located in Atherton, CA, Maydan Architects completed a full renovation of an existing Eichler, acting as both the architect and interior designer for the home. The homeowners saw examples of Maydan Architects' work online and fell in love with the ultra-modern style. They are a French couple, Dan is the founder and CEO of a star-up and Meital has a Masters degree in chemistry.
The project was categorized as a remodel but given the extent of the necessary changes, it would have been much easier to design a new build. When Mary Maydan, founder and principal of Maydan Architects first met with the homeowners, she told them that she does not typically do remodel, and explained that she only designs a remodel if she can transform it into a gorgeous house. It turned out that transforming the house completely was exactly the homeowner’s vision.
When the homeowners interviewed builders, every single one of them said that it would be practically impossible to salvage the radiant heating under the polished concrete floor. The contractor that was selected for the project said he would try, and amazingly he managed to pull this off. He salvaged the existing polished-concrete flooring with radiant heat underneath, and three bathrooms were maintained, complete with their tiled walls and plumbing fixtures, while the remaining house around them was torn down almost completely. The homeowners had many requirements both for the public spaces and for the six bedroom suites. Maydan Architects had to be creative to fit all of these needs cleverly within the existing footprint of the home while adhering to a strict budget. The end result transformed the one-story ranch house into a two-story ultra-modern, high-end residence.
Designed with the objective to be able to see the sky from anywhere in the house, Maydan Architects incorporated a massive skylight in the main living space, and additional skylights throughout the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. The front exterior of the house retains privacy with clerestory windows and a set-back entry door. Wood siding adds a touch of warmth to the ultra-modern minimalist facade and blends well with the white overhangs, dark stucco, and glass. The rear facade is in stark contrast to the privacy of the front. Taking advantage of the large lot, the rear is awash in 16-foot floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to the backyard and provide unimpeded views to the pool and lush landscaping. The design offers a seamless indoor-outdoor transition.
In addition to the stunning windows, in order to further meld the surrounding nature with the interior, Maydan Architects planted a palm tree in the living area using an existing planting atrium, which gets natural light from the oversized skylight above. The neutral color palette of the home is outfitted with quirky and colorful design details, such as the cut-out bookshelf at the top of the stairs and the art throughout the home. The home is unique and modern while remaining warm and inviting.
