The design of the Elm Street Residence was very much inspired by the mid-century West Coast modern tradition of blurring the boundary between the indoors and outdoors.

Due to the unusual length of the site and the clients’ desire for a bright house, a series of courtyards were introduced to maximize daylight and to reduce the appearance of long corridors.  A strip of clerestory windows high up on the second floor runs the entire length of the house to reinforce the lightness of the interior.