HOUSE OF LIGHT AND SHADOW
The House of Light and Shadow is a new residence that balances the interplay of natural light and materials. It is a modern sanctuary on a suburban cul-de-sac—a secret oasis for a family with a passion for design, functionality, and sustainability.
The clients, a creative couple with one child, approached the project with a clear idea of their needs. They envisioned well-designed spaces for work, play, and family gatherings but also sought to maintain a serene and intimate atmosphere. During the site planning phase, the design team helped organize the program around a theme: seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, with an emphasis on using natural materials, maximizing sunlight, and creating inviting areas for relaxation and creativity. As is typical with all Ogawa Fisher Architects projects, the design and selection process were intimate and collaborative, down to the carefully curated interior finishes and fixtures.
The clients’ vision resulted in a home that accentuates the borders between communal and private spaces. The open-plan great room serves as the heart of the home, fostering togetherness with its bright, airy design. Expansive windows and skylights draw in sunlight, while deep overhangs and automated shades create a dance of light and shadow that shifts throughout the day. The tall, meticulously crafted board-formed concrete wall acts as an organizational axis between the great room and the bedrooms. It also helps reveal the surprise of a lower level, where an additional guest suite, an exercise room, and an entertainment room surround a large, bright, sunken courtyard.
Designing this home was not without its challenges. The site’s unusual wedge-like shape meant that a structure in the middle of the property would create slivers of residual space on all sides, with no room for a proper yard. Ogawa Fisher Architects resolved the geometry by creating three staggered volumes that address the narrow frontage while respecting the neighborhood architectural fabric. The middle volume – the great room - acts as both a physical and experiential knuckle, bridging the two rectangular private wings. By fanning out the bedrooms along the sides of the property, a long and generous rear yard emerged, with an opportunity for each space to have a secluded outdoor area designed for reflection and rejuvenation.
Construction started during the height of the COVID pandemic. Materials were difficult to procure, and illnesses made manpower unpredictable. Thankfully, the general contractor, the clients, and the design team were able to work closely to discuss and resolve issues swiftly and with great care.
The husband, a designer and engineer with a passion for making, was originally intending to rent a separate commercial space for his workshop. But the pandemic shutdowns made him realize he would rather have everything closer to home. Plus, he saw his raw, in-progress home as a rare opportunity to create the ideal workspace. Construction was already well underway, but the project team embraced the change and sprang into action. Ogawa Fisher Architects designed an expansive and open workshop underground, with a striking double-height space connecting the shop to the garage above. The resulting volume is grand, bright, but also calm – a space that inspires creativity.
This is a home that embodies the spirit of its residents. The design is a study in contrasts – public and private, light and shadow - while firmly grounded in timeless materials. The family enjoys a serene sanctuary as well as a joyful gathering place for family and friends.
Project Type New Custom Residence | Location Los Altos, California | Project Size 7,600 SF | Completion Date 2022 Services Site Planning, Conceptual Design, Master Planning, Architecture, Construction Administration, Interior Design, Furnishings | OFA team Hiromi Ogawa, Lynn Fisher, Cristian Figueroa, Olena Vodetska, Catherine Nelson, Anna Zamora | General Contractor MN Builders | Structural Engineer BKG Structural Engineers | Geotechnical Engineer Romig Engineers | Civil Engineer Precision Engineering | Mechanical Engineer Monterey Energy Group