San Francisco-based Schwartz and Architecture recently completed this sensitive renovation and expansion of the Green House, a mid-century gem in Palo Alto. Originally designed in 1966 by the architect Aaron Green, a colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright, the home is the finest example of the mid-century style that defined waves of homes across California from the mid-1950s onwards. The updated home stayed true to the original architect’s vision, while modernizing elements for a young family with a reimagined layout and functionality. 

Nestled in the Palo Verde neighborhood, the home’s statement triangular footprint, exposed concrete masonry walls, and distinctive sculptural wooden roof remain intact, each element integral to the original design. New additions were designed to enhance the look and feel of the home, with a new attached volume and two detached outbuildings introduced to expand the space. 

Inside, the roofline was raised to encourage more natural light and a former low-ceilinged carport was transformed into a sunken family room, embracing the home’s mid-century ethos. The concrete foundations remained untouched but new terrazzo-inspired tiles were installed throughout. Original furniture was inherited from the former owners and refreshed with new materials, including reupholstered mid-century chairs. A secret bookcase door was concealed in a kid’s bedroom, which opens into a bathroom, adding a playful touch to the striking original details inside and out. See more projects by Schwartz and Architecture.

Photography © Ayla Christman