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Herring
Designed for sunlight, movement, and a life well-lived — at any age.
Date
2025
Status
Completed
Sector
Residential
Location
San Jose
Originally built in 1947, this single-story home is a classic example of California Ranch architecture, subtly adorned with Cottage-style details. With its low-slung profile and horizontally stretched layout, the house reflects a bygone era of West Coast living—relaxed, natural, and seamlessly connected to the outdoors.
The recent renovation honors the home's architectural roots while introducing thoughtful enhancements that elevate both form and function. The roofline retains its gentle slope, preserving the Ranch home’s original character, while the exterior design remains clean and unpretentious—true to its mid-century DNA.
A major focus of the update was light. The original oversized living room window, a signature element of Ranch homes, was not only preserved but amplified. A newly added box window expands the natural light footprint, flooding the interior with brightness and enhancing the sense of openness and warmth throughout the space.
Unlike many modern renovations that add a second story, this project chose to expand outward rather than upward. The decision to remain single-level supports aging-in-place living, allowing for easy mobility and a barrier-free connection between indoor and outdoor zones—perfectly suited to California’s climate and lifestyle.
While the design celebrates the past, certain aging systems still pose challenges. The home’s original plumbing and electrical infrastructure may require upgrades to meet modern standards of safety and convenience. Thermal performance, too, lags behind contemporary builds, calling for added insulation and energy-efficient enhancements to ensure year-round comfort.
Ultimately, this home stands as a quietly bold reinterpretation of the California Ranch. It combines nostalgic charm with practical improvements, resulting in a living space that’s luminous, accessible, and timeless—a refined tribute to the golden era of West Coast domestic design.
