Modern Khosla House Designed by Arthur Erickson crowning a 15-acre wooded site west of Palo Alto, California, the 14,000 square foot house extends from a hilltop in four directions, making it inseparable from the surrounding native landscape. The home of an extensive modern home design automation system reflects the client’s forward looking interest in developing computer-controlled products for home use. The pools are lined with a light green slate. A formal theme of four round columns and a capital is an abstract interpretation of a traditional motif found in the architecture of India, the owner’s original home. A unique system of cable trays and cabinets in each room enables the owner to modify the wiring and components as new products become available. The concrete frame is buff coloured and sandblasted, while exposed concrete walls are bush-hammered.

Modern Khosla House surrounding native landscape

Modern Khosla House stepped pools and waterways

Modern Khosla House Master Bedroom Operable Skylight

Modern Khosla House Kitchen cabinets in each room

This space serves as the focal point of the house about which several wings are organized. An extensive automation system throughout the house allows computerized and user sensitive control of lighting, security, audio, video, air supply, and sun control. Floors to ceiling glass walls within the poured-in-place concrete frame take advantage of the magnificent and varied views extending in all directions. Granite covers the floors and terraces in patterns of flamed and polished textures.

The many levels of the house are placed among the many existing trees and primarily descend the hill’s south slope in a collection of outdoor terraces and an indoor orangerie beside a series of stepped pools and waterways. The orangerie, featuring a central waterway and flanking stairs, is covered by an operable skylight, allowing the space to be either indoors or out. Gypsum board walls and ceilings are painted white with stainless steel used as accents in some rooms.