Klopf Architecture
Klopf Architecture specializes in warm, modern design. We're best known for our respectful additions to / renovations of mid-century modern and Eichler homes. We also design new warm, modern homes and Net-Zero Energy homes.
Our design is focused on developing comfortable flow of space, providing the right level of connection to nature, and bringing warmth to modern architecture.
We combine sincere listening with our design and technical knowledge to create custom designs for each client. We can also help clients develop their goals and make them concrete.
No matter the project, we believe that Green Design isn't a feature of architecture, but that architecture is part of a larger strategy of Green Design. We work with each client to color his or her project the appropriate shade of green.
Firm Portfolio
We added to and converted a 1940s ranch house into an open, light-filled, contemporary modern house.
There used to be a wall between this kitchen and the dining room (which used to be the kitchen). Removing that and extending the house toward the back helped us achieve the owners' goal of opening up this house. Although we were approached with the idea of adding a second story, the single story addition on a small lot preserved just enough back yard for the owners... and was cheaper and more convenient to live in than a two-story addition.
The master bedroom of this house is separated acoustically from the rest of the house by a covered breezeway. But it's connected through axial alignment. Every night the owners look at the stars on the way to bed!
The house is designed for passive solar heating and even daylighting. Notice the light shelf that reflects light up to the high ceilings. The associated benefit of all this is a real connection to outdoors and expansive views of nature.
A collaboration with the owners! This open vanity area is accessible off the master bedroom, with the small shower / toilet room beyond. Light from above is from the clerestory windows we designed underneath the shed roof.
We remodeled the entry, family room, and kitchen of this house, flowing the kitchen and fmaily room together while completely replacing the kitchen. Instead of the peninsula kitchen they used to have, where only one person at a tim could work, we gave them several work stations around an island. The whole family, and their guests, can cook together and hang out comfortably in this are of the house.
A clean, modern bathroom for a couple who really lives a minimal-aesthetic lifestyle, with a Japanese-style coaking tub.
This facade renovation project re-invigorated a mid-century modern house that was originally designed without an architect. In addition to the practical considerations (the owners needed a deck they could actually sit on) the main thrust of this project was tying together the upper and lower levels of this facade while improving the massing. We created a material palette that brought warmth and sophistication to the house as well.
This bathroom was an original Eichler bathroom (but not in a good way). We reorganized the shower room (beyond) and completely renovated the sink room as well, including a custom bamboo plywood vanity of our design. We maxxed out the mirrors in this small space to make it seem larger, while providing a full-length mirror as well.
We added a wing to this Eichler house, providing the owners with a generous master suite (and turning the old master bedroom into a media room). The rest of the house didn't escape the builder - we moved the interior hallway to create a laundry room while moving and enlarging the remaining bedrooms.
There used to be a wall between this living room and the kitchen, but by opening up the spaces and completely re-laying out the kitchen we created a great room. The family of five appreciates the more open living; the parents are happy to be able to supervise the kids even while working in the kitchen.
