Palo Alto 1

Palo Alto 1

Cathy Schwabe Architecture as Architects

The project is the renovation and addition to a one-story Craftsman bungalow built in 1899 and listed on the National Historic Register as a Category 4 structure.


Architecturally the diagram is a “U shaped” courtyard plan; a two story addition, linked to the original partially deconstructed house, with a one story entry, frames a new interior garden. Blue shingle cladding becomes white shiplap boards at the courtyard walls as if to suggest that day light has carved a space into the interior.


The original theme of open edges of light filled porches is used throughout, with a related iteration at the new stair. A skylight spans the entire landing ceiling– invisible from the street – to lift, with light, the compressed height. Set under the large oak at the street it feels as if one is walking up into the canopy and daily creates a moment of delight.

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