A California courtyard home with Japanese-inspired serenity

In a quiet neighborhood of Cupertino, California, just a few miles from Apple’s campus and close to the iconic city Eichler district, SHED Architecture and Design has designed a home that feels both timeless and distinctly modern. The Palace House of Cupertino it sits on a modest flat lot surrounded by Mission and Spanish Colonial style homes, yet stands apart – grounded in the local architectural lineage while reinventing it for a new generation.

A modern two-story house with a minimalist design, with a dark upper part, a white lower facade, a large garage door and a landscaped front yard.

From the street, the residence leans on the modern, following the strict design requirements of the area. White stucco landscape walls nod to the Mediterranean vernacular of the area, while a dark, charred wood upper – dressed in shou sugi ban – heralds a bolder contemporary sensibility. The entrance to the house is behind a latticed wooden gate, partially hidden between concrete walls, through a small, secluded courtyard. This path leads to a recessed “genkan”, a traditional Japanese threshold where shoes are removed.

Modern outdoor entrance with partly open metal and wooden gate, concrete path, white walls, wooden bench and tree on left.

A small yard with a lone tree, a wooden bench and walls of white and dark wood under a clear blue sky.

A view of the entrance area of ​​a modern house with a wooden ceiling, black walls, concrete floor slabs and glass doors that open into a bright interior living space with large windows.

Inside, the home unfolds as a collection of interior courtyards, each framing views of the outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors blur the lines between interior and garden, allowing natural light to highlight plaster walls and oak paneling throughout the day. The living, dining and kitchen areas flow together along the rear of the property, anchored by custom white oak built-ins that serve as storage and seating. A bench built into the back of the kitchen island turns the space into an informal gathering center.

Modern dining room and kitchen with light wood furniture, large windows and natural light, with a dining table, wooden slats and a view of a small garden with plants.

Modern open plan living and dining room with woodwork, light wood dining table, pendant light and large windows letting in natural light.

The palette of materials exudes pleasant warmth and natural tactility. Clay plaster, wood and slate bring an earthy softness that contrasts with the geometric, black and white exterior of the house. A covered “engava” – a Japanese-style veranda that floats just above the ground – extends the living space outdoors, inviting quiet moments of reflection.

A modern kitchen with light wood cabinets, white worktops, a minimalist backsplash, integrated appliances and a dark stone island with a built-in sink.

A modern living room with light wood accents, a gray sectional sofa, a low coffee table, a large paper ceiling lamp and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a small garden.

Modern living room with wooden beams, large windows, low TV unit and minimalist decor, overlooking the garden on both sides.

The modern wooden house has large windows and a central courtyard with flowering trees, gravel and rocks under a clear sky.

A modern hallway with light wooden floors and walls, vertical wooden slats on the right and natural light streaming in from the bright room at the end.

A narrow corridor with light wooden floors and walls, with built-in wardrobes, washing machine and vertical wooden slats, leads to a bright room with a window.

A minimal room with a wooden chair next to a large window, a small tree outside, a pile of books, a guitar case, a small lamp and indoor plants on a light wooden floor.

At the center of the layout, a roof-lit staircase serves as a sculptural element leading to the second floor. Designed for passive ventilation, it channels light and air through the home while discreetly containing mechanical systems. Upstairs, the compact space is organized with efficiency: the primary suite has a slate wet room and cedar tub, while each child’s room includes playful lofts for rest and imagination.

A minimal interior staircase with light wood steps, a wooden handrail, vertical wooden slats on the wall and a large, round pendant hanging from the ceiling.

A minimalist architectural interior with white walls, soft curved surfaces, a circular ceiling light and a skylight revealing the blue sky. Light and shadows create geometric patterns.

Performance was as much a priority as aesthetics. The house exceeds net-zero energy standards with a rooftop solar array that produces more energy than it consumes. High efficiency systems – from heat pump HVAC and water heating to energy recovery ventilation – combine with advanced framing and hermetic insulation to minimize waste. Every fixture, material and assembly has been considered for longevity and environmental impact, ensuring that the home not only looks but also lives sustainably.

A minimalist bedroom with light wood furniture, white bed linen, a large wardrobe, two windows and flower pots on the headboard and wardrobe. Natural light fills the space.

A minimalist bathroom with dark tiled walls, a light wood bathtub, a small window, a towel hanging on a hook and a round ceiling lamp.

Minimalist bathroom vanity with wooden drawers, white sink, black fixtures, mirror cabinet, potted plant and window with view of greenery and blue sky.

A small bedroom with a ladder to the loft, a single bed with pink sheets, stuffed toys, a window overlooking the garden and a fish-shaped ceiling light.

A minimalist bathroom with light wood accents, a green towel, a paper ceiling lamp, and a window that lets in natural light above the tiled tub and shower.

Exterior of a modern house with large glass windows, wooden and dark paneling and a view of a warmly lit living room. In the foreground you can see gravel and a tree branch.

A small flowering tree stands in a modern courtyard surrounded by dark wooden walls, large windows and a minimal landscape illuminated by floor lights.

Modern two story home with dark wood upper level, large sliding glass doors, covered patio and front lawn.

To learn more about the Cupertino Courtyard House by SHED Architecture & Design, visit shedbuilt.com.

Photographers would Ethan Gordon.

Caroline Williamson is the editor-in-chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found scavenging for vintage products, solving New York Times crossword puzzles with a pen, or rearranging a playlist on Spotify.

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