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Collection by Caroline Wallis

A Bay Area Renovation Keeps its Midcentury Modern Roots

This 1958 home is everything a family could ever want back then—and now, with some minor modifications.

For Jerome Buttrick of Oakland based Buttrick Projects, the aim of this renovation was simply to update an already well-designed midcentury home. Situated on a steeply sloping lot, the home boasts views of the Bay from the comfort of a sheer buttressed living room, a move inspired by the one from the original plan. Keeping much of the original layout, the extensive remodel involved replacing almost every wall to introduce modern insulation, appliances and materials. Not only has the remodel made room for the kids, it also incorporated subtly sustainable features such as sun shading eaves and operable windows. As Buttrick explains, “The original project was a future forward-looking stage for domestic life that remains relevant today.”

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Preserving much of the original floor plan meant keeping this long hallway leading to most of the bedrooms.
Preserving much of the original floor plan meant keeping this long hallway leading to most of the bedrooms.
Buttrick converted the original carport into additional bedrooms and bathrooms; to replace it, he designed a new carport even further up the slope from the house.
Buttrick converted the original carport into additional bedrooms and bathrooms; to replace it, he designed a new carport even further up the slope from the house.
Designed around a specimen oak, this renovated midcentury has walls of glass and a natural palette to achieve a seamless connection with the outdoors. When a pair of nature lovers purchased a hillside midcentury home south of San Francisco in Portola Valley, they were admittedly more taken with the stunning valley vistas than the house, whose original 1960s design had been long covered up by mismatched remodels. Yet, after living there for a few years, the couple decided to start a family and realized a renovation was finally in order.
Designed around a specimen oak, this renovated midcentury has walls of glass and a natural palette to achieve a seamless connection with the outdoors. When a pair of nature lovers purchased a hillside midcentury home south of San Francisco in Portola Valley, they were admittedly more taken with the stunning valley vistas than the house, whose original 1960s design had been long covered up by mismatched remodels. Yet, after living there for a few years, the couple decided to start a family and realized a renovation was finally in order.
In addition to the Eameses, the architect was also inspired by the early work of furniture designer Florence Knoll, and sought to design an interior space that intuitively related to the rest of the architecture. The dining room features “Navy” Emeco chairs and a custom lacquered wood top dining table.
In addition to the Eameses, the architect was also inspired by the early work of furniture designer Florence Knoll, and sought to design an interior space that intuitively related to the rest of the architecture. The dining room features “Navy” Emeco chairs and a custom lacquered wood top dining table.
Adding several more buttresses to the living and dining area reinforces the visual connection to the view and deck.
Adding several more buttresses to the living and dining area reinforces the visual connection to the view and deck.
The entire house cantilevers over the slope and features quintessentially midcentury modern features such as a wider private front facade and a butterfly-esque roof.
The entire house cantilevers over the slope and features quintessentially midcentury modern features such as a wider private front facade and a butterfly-esque roof.