The 1960s was known for some unusual and inventive architecture, including homes built in the round.
Visitors attending the virtual Bay Area Modern Homes Tour, presented by the Modern Architecture + Design Society on June 26, will get a look inside one of those marvels, tucked away in the Los Altos hills and aptly named “The Round House.”
It’s one of a few round houses built in the Bay Area during that freewheeling decade, but the clients who fell in love with the quirky home soon realized that living in a round house put them into some design corners.
Soon after moving in, the new home owners recognized the problems, including that the low window eaves obstructed the spectacular view. Rather than scrapping the entire design, the owners and architect seized on the opportunity to expand the design potential.
The building, perched atop a steep site, has 180-degree views. A deck runs around its perimeter. The original central courtyard became the kitchen, with a large circular skylight to stream daylight in.
A concentric hallway leads to wedge-shaped rooms. An outdoor deck just off the great room and kitchen offers bay views. Tall pocket doors bring the outside in. And a Japanese style of charred wood siding, called shou sugi ban, and concrete floors provide a minimalist interior.
Find details on how to join the virtual Modern Home Tour here. Check out the other homes on the tour, too:
Mocabee house and studio barn, Sonoma
Prairie style house, Los Altos
Small house, big design, Oakland
Details
- Feldman Architecture
- Contractor/Builder: Baywest Builders
- Landscape Architect/Design: Variegated Green
- Specialty firms: Tucci Lighting, BKG Structural Engineers, Lea + Braze Engineering Inc
- Number of bedrooms: 4
- Number of bathrooms: 4
- Approximate square footage: 5,103
- Year built: 1960s; renovated: 2020
