Inside a Japanese-Inspired Home in Silicon Valley

When a young couple relocated from Los Angeles to to be closer to their work, they used the opportunity to create their first home for their family. Fans of Japanese design, they knew they wanted to incorporate that aesthetic into the residence, while also adding in elements that meshed well with the surrounding structures. Working with the Seattle-based firm , the couple created a zen, contemporary retreat in Cupertino, near the Apple headquarters.

Outside, white-stucco landscape walls blend in with the Mediterranean-style houses that dot the neighborhood. The second story, though, is wrapped in Japanese-inspired black shou sugi ban, and there’s a slatted wood entry gate that shepherds you into a welcoming courtyard. From here, you walk into the central genkan , a recessed space where