Carmel-by-the-Sea in California includes a group of midcentury houses, but according to architect Mary Ann Schicketanz, most are either neglected or underappreciated. Schicketanz’s clients, a couple in the energy industry, knew the architectural legacy of the hidden stone. “They really wanted to honor their residence’s midcentury roots and, given their heritage, sustainably reestablish their house,” she states.

Her clients asked for a stronger indoor-outdoor connection and another area — without increasing the footprint of the existing home. As they moved forward with their vision of creating a green house, the LEED points started adding up. “We abided by Carmel’s residential zoning ordinances, but we’re able to deliver a tired house to the 21st century making it secure and energy efficient,” the architect says. “We have given it new life for many more years to come.”

at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their toddler along with 2 cats
Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Size: 1,843 square feet
That’s interesting: This is actually the first LEED platinum-certified home in Carmel.

Studio Schicketanz

Studio Schicketanz

The home is at the center of Carmel and within strolling distance of the library, concert hall and shore. But the small-town plenty and restricted outdoor spaces made it difficult for Schicketanz to fulfill the owners’ need to have an outdoor dining room.

“We had to work closely with city personnel to introduce new materials that are not encouraged by the city but are harmonious with midcentury design, such as cementitious siding, aluminium windows and whitened membrane for the roofing to get solar reflectivity,” states Schicketanz.

Studio Schicketanz

Instead of adding to the footprint of the existing house, the team installed a retractable roof over the dining area (background in photograph). Fir wall panels and wood and camel tones warm up the snowy rooms.

New double-pane glass windows, recycled denim insulation and radiant heat greatly enhanced the comfort of the home.

Studio Schicketanz

The clients didn’t get their outdoor dining room, but the new retractable roof over the dining table brings sunshine and fresh air with the push of a button. “You’ll have a outdoor dining experience without needing to step outside,” states Schicketanz.

Rectractable roof: Rollamatic Roofs

Studio Schicketanz

Every area works hard for the family, especially the living area and adjacent open kitchen.

Furniture: clients’ own

Studio Schicketanz

The couple likes to cook and entertain, so the kitchen is used every day. Schicketanz and her staff extended the kitchen to an adjacent hallway and discovered ways to add ample storage whilst keeping an open feel.

Kitchen: Ikea; backsplash: Heath Ceramics; countertops: Ceasarstone

Studio Schicketanz

The study doubles as a cozy guest area and extends the hot woods bright white and mustard yellow accents found throughout the rest of the home.

Studio Schicketanz

Schicketanz delights in the way she and her staff successfully mixed new materials, like white high-gloss resin for the floors, with the existing fir wall paneling and exposed ceiling framing. Over the bed, transom windows frame the lush landscape out.

Studio Schicketanz

Studio Schicketanz

Folding NanaWall doors open the master bedroom into the roof deck, in which the clients can enjoy views of Monterey cypress trees and the Pacific Ocean.

Studio Schicketanz

“We are proud to demonstrate how modest, cautious interventions can give a home all the modern conveniences while maintaining a home constructed of wood stud construction over 50 decades back,” states Schicketanz.

Dimensions: Ann Sacks

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