A California Courtyard House With Japanese-Inspired Serenity

ByMyProperty Life 21/10/2025

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

Modern two-story house with a minimalist design, featuring a dark upper section, white lower facade, large garage door, and landscaped front yard.

From the street, the residence leans into modern while following the strict design requirements of the area. White stucco landscape walls give nod to the Mediterranean vernacular of its surroundings, while a dark, charred-wood upper volume – clad in shou sugi ban – announces a bolder contemporary sensibility. The home’s entry is behind a slatted wood 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.

A modern outdoor entryway with a partially open metal and wood gate, concrete path, white walls, a wooden bench, and a tree on the left.

A small courtyard with a solitary tree, a wooden bench, and white and dark wood walls under a clear blue sky.

View of a modern home's entryway with a wood ceiling, black walls, concrete floor panels, and a glass door opening to a bright interior living space with large windows.

Inside, the home unfolds as a collection of interior courtyards, each one framing views of the outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors blur the lines between interior and garden, letting natural light highlight the plaster walls and oak finishes 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 double as storage and seating. A bench built into the back of the kitchen island transforms the space into an informal gathering hub.

A modern dining and kitchen area with light wood furniture, large windows, and natural light, featuring a dining table, wooden slats, and a view of a small courtyard with plants.

Modern open-plan living and dining area with wooden finishes, a light wood dining table, pendant light, and large windows letting in natural light.

The materials palette exudes cozy warmth and natural tactility. Clay plaster, wood, and slate bring an earthy softness that contrasts the home’s geometric, black and white exterior. A covered “engawa” – a Japanese-style porch hovering just above the ground – extends the living spaces outdoors, inviting quiet moments of reflection.

Modern kitchen with light wood cabinetry, white countertops, minimalist backsplash, integrated appliances, and a dark stone island with a built-in sink.

Modern living room with light wood accents, a gray sectional sofa, a low coffee table, a large paper lantern ceiling light, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to a small garden.

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

A modern wooden house features large windows and a central courtyard with a blossoming tree, gravel ground, and rocks under a clear sky.

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

A narrow hallway with light wooden floors and walls, featuring built-in cabinetry, a washing machine, and vertical wooden slats, leading to a bright room with a window.

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

At the center of the layout, a skylit stairwell serves as a sculptural element that leads to the second floor. Designed for passive ventilation, it channels light and air through the home while discreetly housing mechanical systems. Upstairs, the compact footprint is organized with efficiency: the primary suite features a slate-lined wet room and a cedar soaking tub, while the children’s rooms each include playful lofts for rest and imagination.

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

Minimalist architectural interior with white walls, soft curved surfaces, a circular ceiling light, and a skylight revealing a 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 generating more power than it consumes. High-efficiency systems – from heat pump HVAC and water heating to energy recovery ventilation – combine with advanced framing and airtight insulation to minimize waste. Every fixture, material, and assembly was considered for longevity and environmental impact, ensuring the home not only looks but lives sustainably.

Minimalist bedroom with light wood furniture, white bedding, large wardrobe, two windows, and potted plants on the headboard and wardrobe. Natural light fills the space.

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

A minimalist bathroom vanity with wood drawers, a white sink, black fixtures, a mirror cabinet, a potted plant, and a window with a view of greenery and blue sky.

A small bedroom with a loft ladder, a single bed with pink bedding, stuffed toys, a window with a garden view, and a fish-shaped ceiling light.

Minimalist bathroom with light wood accents, a green towel, a paper lantern ceiling light, and a window letting in natural light above a tiled bathtub and shower area.

Modern house exterior with large glass windows, wooden and dark panel siding, and a view into a warmly lit living room. Gravel ground and a tree branch are visible in the foreground.

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

A modern two-story house with a dark wood upper level, large glass sliding doors, a covered patio, and a lawn in front.

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

Photography by Ethan Gordon.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.