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Esther
Modern Japanese principles, expressed through texture, light, and proportion.
PROJECT DETAILS
Date
2026
Status
Completed
Sector
Residential
Location
San Jose
Except for the garage, the entire home was newly constructed and independently designed and built by our firm, encompassing architecture, interior design, and landscape design.
Conceived through a distinctly Modern Japanese architectural lens, the residence embodies a restrained yet refined architectural expression. The exterior is composed of a carefully curated palette of travertine, wood-grain aluminum, and warm white stucco, creating a sense of quiet balance, material harmony, and timeless elegance.
Particular attention was given to scale, proportion, and the placement of openings along the street frontage. Aluminum screens positioned before the dining room glazing filter light and preserve privacy, while a landscaped buffer softens the transition between the entry sequence and the public realm. Together, these elements establish a subtle dialogue between contemporary architecture and its neighborhood context.
Throughout the design process, we continually explored how spatial organization can better support contemporary lifestyles and evolving family relationships.
The public spaces are intentionally open and connected, encouraging interaction and shared experiences, while carefully placed transitional zones separate the private suites from communal areas, providing each family member with a sense of retreat and tranquility.
The project also emphasizes a seamless relationship between indoors and outdoors. Materials from the family room extend beyond the interior envelope, visually connecting the architecture with the landscape. Two 11-foot folding glass doors further dissolve the boundary between inside and outside, drawing natural light and garden views deep into the home.
