Architect John Klopf is hanging ten on a surging wave of midcentury modern home renovations in California.
After graduating with a masters from U.C. Berkeley, he set up his practice in 2001, and remodeled his first Eichler home in 2002. Since then, his firm has taken on almost 100 Eichlers and other midcentury homes.
Eichler Home Restoration, Silicon Valley, by John Klopf, AIA
"About 2007, we really started to pick up some speed, with a good number each year," he says. "There was a snowball effect."
Part of that's because the firm handles its projects with respect for the original architects and designs. It also understands the spirit of modernism, with its open spaces, natural light and rational, clean lines.
Eichler Home Renovation, Silicon Valley, by John Klopf, AIA
Then there's the Asian influence. "The original architects who designed the Eichler homes were inspired by the Japanese concept of 'borrowed landscape,' and so are we," he says. "It's in evidence in traditional Japanese temples and homes, where the wall panels slide open to a raised deck which overlooks a landscaped, enclosed garden."
Eichler Home Renovation, Silicon Valley, by John Klopf, AIA
That garden space becomes "part of the room" so a smaller interior space feels much larger. With Eichler homes starting out fairly small by 21st-century standards, the 'borrowed landscape' helps make living spaces feel expansive though average in size.
Eichler Home Renovation, Silicon Valley, by John Klopf, AIA
Klopf applied the concept successfully in Silicon Valley for clients with a 1,712 square-foot Eichler home that was down at the heels. "It was outdated, with the front painted a dark green," he says. "The client wanted a more sophisticated, high-end, modern look. They left the layout up to us."
Working with Arterra Landscape and Flegels Construction, the architects first took on the effects of expansive native soils and rolling floors by placing the structure up on piers. Next, posts inside were removed inside to accommodate two 20-foot Nana Walls that open out to the exterior. Support frames were hidden above, under roofing tiles.
Eichler Home Renovation, Silicon Valley, by John Klopf, AIA
The original kitchen at the rear was moved to the front of the house and opened up to living and dining spaces. At odds over what to do with a fireplace and chimney, both client and architect were satisfied with their landscape architect's solution of a fire pit opposite a water feature on side yard. So the chimney is history.
Now, the entire home is opened up to natural light and landscape. "The Eichler houses are known for bringing the outside in, and we wanted to push that as far as we could," he says. "We achieved it by completely opening up the space so the living area goes from fence to fence instead of wall to wall."
Those fences are particularly important for this home. "There's a wall of glass in the master shower that faces the backyard," he says,. "It's an example of the openness they wanted."
Eichler Home Renovation, Silicon Valley, by John Klopf, AIA
And a 21st-century upgrade to a classic 20th century California home.
J. Michael Welton writes about architecture, art and design for national and international publications, and edits and publishes a digital design magazine at www.architectsandartisans.com, where portions of this post first appeared. He's also the author of "Drawing from Practice: Architects and the Meaning of Freehand," due out from Routledge Press in May.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.