Spirited Revival – Los Gatos by Piechota Architecture

A secluded retreat immersed within the wooded landscape, Los Gatos draws from previous modernist principles to become more open and engage with the natural surrounds. Piechota Architecture focuses on creating an outward connection with the addition of new, generous glazing around the perimeter, which also grounds the residence in place from within.

Located in Los Gatos, California, amid picturesque woodlands, the original home was designed and built in the 1960s and required a contemporary reworking to ensure its relevancy in a more modern context. Inspired by the surrounds, the resulting abode balances natural and built elements inside and out, restoring key features with great consideration towards how they will evolve over time. Due to a number of impractical additions over the years, the residence needed its inherent narrative restored; the main challenge being to carefully weave the past and present together with finesse and purpose. Piechota Architecture draws from the open gestures and existing connections within, reinterpreting these to match more contemporary architectural styles.

Inspired by the surrounds, the resulting abode balances natural and built elements inside and out, restoring key features with great consideration towards how they will evolve over time.

Maintaining a continued dialogue with the surroundings was key to ensuring a synergy was felt between nature and architecture. Supporting the various functions outlined in the planning, open and glazed zones – including the living, dining and kitchen areas – were balanced with the more intimate bedroom and bathroom spaces. Matching the energy of the current owners, providing opportunities for gathering and moments of retreat were essential, as was the ability for spaces to adjust to various family arrangements over time.

Outside is a series of entertainment and lounge spaces as well as a pool. Enhancing the connections between inside and out and allowing for free movement across the threshold ensures the useable area of the dwelling is expanded. The outdoor spaces become realms of their own and allow household activities to flow outwards. Set within an equally embellished landscape, the home is overlayed with a sense of structure and formality through a balance between hard and soft additions as well as surrounding greenery, which further softens the exterior.

Matching the energy of the current owners, providing opportunities for gathering and moments of retreat were essential, as was the ability for spaces to adjust to various family arrangements over time.

Living with the natural elements sits at the heart of Los Gatos. Therefore, it was important that visual sightlines to the outdoors were improved in the reworking. Piechota Architecture ensures the vibrant characters of the current occupants are combined with a considerate nod to the history of the residence whilst restoring and enhancing its presence as a secluded sanctuary.