In the heart of Silicon Valley, just a few miles from Apple’s spaceship campus, Cupertino Courtyard House by SHED Architecture & Design redefines the modern California home. Situated near Cupertino’s famed Eichler district, the residence strikes a rare balance between heritage and innovation—melding Mediterranean cues with minimalist Japanese restraint and high-performance sustainability.

From the street, the home’s clean white stucco walls nod to the local Mission vernacular, while the charred-wood upper volume, finished in shou sugi ban, introduces a strikingly contemporary edge. Entry is discreet—through a slatted wood gate and a private courtyard that leads to a recessed genkan, a Japanese-style threshold that marks the shift from public to private. Inside, daylight pours through floor-to-ceiling glass doors framing lush internal courtyards. Oak millwork, clay plaster walls, and slate details create a tactile warmth that contrasts the home’s crisp geometric exterior.

The house unfolds around natural light and air, with a skylit stairwell acting as a sculptural centerpiece and passive ventilation system. Upstairs, efficiency meets serenity: a cedar soaking tub anchors the primary suite, while playful lofts enliven the children’s rooms. Designed for longevity and performance, the home surpasses net-zero energy standards—its solar panels generate more power than it consumes.

At once rooted in tradition and resolutely forward-thinking, the Cupertino Courtyard House proves that sustainable architecture can be both elegant and enduring—a modern refuge crafted for California living.

In other architecture news, check out the Teen Vaults House by Vaissnavi Shukl.