- Project: Mid-Mod Eichler Addition
- Architect: Klopf Architecture
- Location: United States, San Mateo, California
- Year: 2017
- Area: 212 m2
- Photography: Mariko Reed
In the heart of San Mateo Highlands, Klopf Architecture—working alongside Outer Space Landscape Architects and Coast to Coast Construction—has masterfully expanded and updated a classic Eichler home for a young modernist family. This project, known as the Mid-Mod Eichler Addition Remodel, demonstrates how a sensitive and minimalist design approach can enhance space and comfort without compromising the integrity of mid-century modernism.
Preserving the Eichler Character, Upgrading the Living Experience
The clients—enthusiasts of modernist art and Eichler architecture—sought a home that honored the past but lived for the present. With two young children and a curated collection of modernist furniture and objects, they envisioned a more comfortable, functional space that aligned with their minimalist lifestyle.
Klopf Architecture’s response included an office and guest room addition, subtle yet highly functional, tucked along the side yard to work within zoning constraints while maintaining yard usability. Transparent in design, the addition minimizes its visual impact and integrates seamlessly with the original post-and-beam rhythm, dark bronze door frames, and Eichler-profile siding.
Strategic Expansion and Practical Upgrades
Due to the home’s wedge-shaped lot and restrictive setbacks, rear expansion was not an option. Instead, the team used 3D modeling to explore spatial solutions, ultimately landing on a side yard expansion that respected both the geometry of the house and the openness of the yard.
Internally, the remodel included expansions to the entry, bathrooms, and storage areas. One of the most impactful upgrades was the replacement of old steel radiant heating tubes with a new radiant floor heating system embedded in both existing and new concrete slabs. New flooring throughout the house elevated comfort and performance.
Respecting Original Materials and Detailing
A key principle was the preservation of original materials wherever possible. The team retained much of the original wood paneling, only replacing and re-staining damaged areas. The new paneling was stained to match the original, preserving the warmth and character of mid-century interiors while giving it new life.
From exterior siding profiles to carefully aligned beam structures, Klopf ensured that the new elements echoed the original Eichler design vocabulary. The result is an architectural dialogue between old and new, full of light, texture, and subtle continuity.
The Mid-Mod Eichler Addition Remodel by Klopf Architecture is a case study in modernist precision and restraint. It is a home that embraces clean geometry, honest materials, and thoughtful expansion, proving that even with tight constraints, architecture can enhance lives without overpowering the spirit of the original design.
