Fortunately, in terms of design, this project was driven by the laudable desire of the clients, a sophisticated couple, to retain the basic footprint, style and character of the existing residence, a modest 2,000-square-foot home constructed in 1960 (architect unknown). This ethos of preservation, in the face of the prevailing local trend to raze old structures and replace them with “McMansions”, was the primary concept that guided the overall design process of this project from the start. Notably, the Architect was encouraged to maintain the iconic qualities of mid-century modernism reflected in the original residence. As a result, the front elevation’s distinctive butt-jointed glass windows, framed by board-and-batten siding were retained. Ditto the whimsically trimmed “Doctor Seuss” tree prominently located at the front yard entry. These modernist totems were enhanced by repainting the exterior wood surfaces a more contemporary deep green matte hue. To add volume and drama to the home’s entry, the roof of the garage was extended over the entry and into the interior of the home. The new entry and garage were re-sheathed in Thinline siding, a detail typical of mid-century homes. The siding identifies a “new” (but subtle) architectural injection into the existing plan. Additional changes were made to enhance and refresh the interior spaces to to better serve the owners’ current lifestyle needs. Interior atriums, formerly used for plant material, were reintegrated into the building and repurposed as a home/work environment and a spacious new master bath. In this way, the Architect was able to add important, vitally-needed space without impacting the home’s overall footprint. Working together, the clients and the Architect were successful in retaining and preserving the character of an existing structure, while updating and repurposing the spaces to provide for current needs and aesthetics. These solutions and materials, while referencing mid-century modernism, have a distinctly 21st-century attitude.