Brown Residence
San Mateo, California

This contemporary home was built by Eichler Homes of Palo Alto in the 1960s. After forty some years of use, appliances, cabinets, lighting and flooring were less than their original condition. The owner’s devotion to Eichler’s modernist residential design has been un-erring throughout the life of this home. It was the owner’s desire to expand virtually all areas of the single floor open plan, which included the garage, guest bedroom, guest bath, master bedroom and bath, dining / family area and the kitchen.

The Thimgan Architectural Group’s design approach was to preserve the free-flowing spaciousness from one area to another and completely replace interior finishes with use of original materials and lighting. To accomplish this, cabinets were replaced to reflect the traditional mahogany wall surfaces. New tile flooring was installed throughout the home where the original hydronic heating system remains fully functional.

Fixed glass, ventilating sash and sliding glass doors were replaced and expanded to optimize energy efficiency and to reinforce the visual connection with the extensive rear terrace and exterior landscaping into the renovated living area, family area, dining area and kitchen.

De Vlaming Residence
Fair Oaks, California

Constructed in the 1970's, this contemporary home was built by the Streng Brothers of Sacramento. While the interiors reflected a fresh interpretation of a traditional organization of spaces - with exposed post and beam framing, and simple understated interior materials - in today’s terms, the kitchen and living spaces lacked openness and connection with each other. Additionally, after nearly forty years of use, appliances, cabinets, lighting and flooring were simply worn out and needed to reflect the materials and technology available to homeowners of today.

The Thimgan Architectural Group’s design approach was to re-create a sense of openness from one area to another to complement the owner’s mode of daily living and to optimize every cubic foot of space available for the storage and preparation of food and cooking utensils. Insulating sliding glass doors and fixed glass were replaced to optimize energy efficiency and to re-establish the ease of bringing the outside to the interior spaces.

Arrellano/Cintron Residence
Sacramento, California

Constructed in the 1970’s, this contemporary home was built by the Streng Brothers of Sacramento. The interiors represented a traditional organization of spaces and lacked openness and physical connection with each other. After nearly forty years of use, the appliances, cabinets, lighting system and flooring were drab, functionless and, at the very least, unattractive.

The Thimgan Architectural Group design approach was to create an openness—both in size volume of spaces, and a free-flowing spaciousness from one area to another. To accomplish this, cabinets were limited to base cabinets, full height and above—counter cabinets where they wouldn’t impede a visual connection with space. Guests are by design an integral part of kitchen activities with the counter—height conversation and dining counters.

Fixed glass and sliding glass doors were replaced and expanded to optimize energy efficiency and to reinforce the connection with the narrow rear yard, swimming pool and terrace to the renovated family area, dining area and kitchen.