Cat Mountain Residence

The clients, a family of five, had lived in the house for years. They loved its quirky, multi-level floor plan and wanted to remodel rather than build something new. The design challenge was to bring a sense of clarity and calm to the disjointed layout, while adding some new living and office space and creating a better connection between the house and its distinct outdoor areas.

Previously, it was unclear where to enter the house—the choices were either to proceed up a rickety wood staircase to a sun-blasted entry porch at the dining room; or to walk up a steep driveway to a hidden kitchen entry. The first major decision was to disconnect the dining room from exterior access. The wood staircase was removed, and a spacious, private “dining terrace” built atop a new office space. The existing garage was converted to a guest suite, with a steel and wood walkway shaded by an entry canopy. The new entry is now connected the driveway, twelve feet below, via a series of landscaped stairs and decks that ascend through the trees to a covered porch, creating an enjoyable and shaded procession.

The house had some nice post-and-beam framing in the public spaces, and we wanted to highlight that design feature. We reoriented the kitchen and added a glassed family room that creates an immediate connection with the pool and large deck in the backyard. We also sought to create better connections among levels by providing layered views—so that spaces can feel separate, yet are visually connected. A small addition to the dining area allowed us to install full-height glazing, providing access to the new dining terrace and views of the hills beyond. The interiors were kept intentionally neutral, with pops of color, to achieve a kind of “beach house” vibe that complements the casual, multi-level layout. Existing masonry was retained, while the windows, siding, and roof were replaced.