Get A Peek Inside 6 Amazing Silicon Valley Homes This Saturday

The 2015 Silicon Valley Mid-Century and Modern Home Tour is Saturday, May 16 with six participating homes ranging from historic mid-century classics to renovations to brand new modern homes.

Vision Literacy in Santa Clara is the non-profit partner.

These homes are NOT for sale; they are privately owned and happily lived in. But the owners are opening their doors, and here’s a rundown of what you’ll see:

(1) A true gem of a historic home in San Mateo, originally designed by Pietro Belluschi in 1958, and updated by the current owner. Dubbed “Life House,” this contemporary award winning split level home includes a steam room, outside spa, two fireplaces, wrap around decking, and a landscaped garden with a view of Treasure Island on the San Francisco Bay. Monique Lombardelli will be showing her documentary film “People in Glass Houses: The Legacy of Joseph Eichler” at this location.

(2) A brand new home in Belmont, designed by Klopf Architecture, that features open spaces while remaining close to the ground, to give a sense of connection with nature in what can be called a Modern Atrium House. The home features a central stacked stone fireplace chimney that shoots up through a skylight, a larger-than-usual green and natural back yard, and an efficient energy performance level that exceeds California’s strict energy code by almost 40 percent.

(3) An Eichler-style home in Palo Alto, designed by Ashen and Allen, that is a rare Mid-Century Modern home with original details and features the very popular post and beam construction and gives way to plenty of light with floor to ceiling glass. A rare gem that not many ever get to see.

(4) An atrium-style Eichler home in Sunnyvale, originally built in 1967, that was recently entirely renovated by M110 Architecture to include a new metal roof, updated kitchen and family room, and new, fresh landscaping.

(5) Another historic home, designed by Beverly “David” Thorne (the last living Case Study House architect), located in the Alpine Hills neighborhood of Portola Valley. Originally built in 1960 for Frank Norton, an employee of Bethlehem Steel, and his wife Ruthe, the house is a very simple and relatively modest steel post and beam module that ties together with a flat wood roof, extensive use of glass, and redwood decking.

(6) A second home in Palo Alto is a Klopf Architecture-designed renovation of a classic Eichler, dubbed “The Truly Open Eichler.” The completely openable walls allow the homeowners to truly open up the living space of the house, transforming it into an open air pavilion, extending the living area outdoors to the private side yards, and taking maximum advantage of indoor-outdoor living opportunities.

The homes will open their doors for viewing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tour is self-guided, with the help of a map. Tickets are $30 in advance; $40 on the day of the tour, available at designated locations.

The event page and ticketing info is here: http://modernhometours.com/event/2015-silicon-valley-modern-home-tour

--Images and information courtesy of 2015 Silicon Valley Modern Home Tour

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