Nestled in the hills of Los Altos, California, the Round House was built in the 1960s. The current owners – a budding baker and a family with a passion for cooking – fell in love with it and made a few renovations to modernize the design. The Feldman Architecture studio took care of enriching its original form, starting with the window eaves that blocked the spectacular views and the central courtyard, which was once open to the sky, transforming it into a kitchen.

A large skylight diffuses into this circular space, creating a sundial that illuminates the curved furniture. From the entrance, the family can circulate in the open-plan living room and kitchen, before going around the 475 m² house via a walkway that gives access to the bedrooms. Similarly, a concentric corridor traces the kitchen, leading to rooms designed to delineate private and social areas. The terrace, carved out at the intersection of the living spaces, frames a breathtaking view of San Francisco’s South Bay, while tall concave retractable doors establish a discreet link between interior and exterior. To complete the circle, creative solutions are added between Japanese burned wood technique (Shou Sugi Ban), white walls, concrete floors, and minimalist interiors, to better let the striking and colorful Californian panorama speak for itself.

Nathalie Dassa

Photo credits: Adam Rouse