This serene Modernist home by Izen Architecture may appear simple in form, but sometimes simplicity can be deceptive. Designed in collaboration with interior designer Danielle Sucher of DS Interiors, the house uncovers the warmer, livable side of minimalism, influenced by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
A Collaborative Vision
Principal architect Brenda Izen and homeowner Danielle Sucher, a longtime friend and interior designer, worked together to create a home that prioritizes a strong connection to the outdoors. "Danielle and I had worked on several other projects together over the years," Izen recalls. "We became friends, and she said she knew that if she ever built a house, she wanted to do it with me." The family had lived on the lot for seven years before deciding to rebuild, aiming for a better relationship with the backyard and surrounding greenery, as well as a design that suited the couple and their three children.
Minimalist Palette with Warmth
The design draws from Ando's signature use of limited materials and natural light. Concrete, smooth brick, and black metal dominate the palette, but the home avoids coldness through thoughtful details. The front elevation features textured grey bricks longer than standard, giving a tactile, woven appearance. The bottom three courses are set vertically, creating a border that makes the house appear to float on its recessed ground floor. Open-topped window wells, lined with black metal, lighten the visual weight of the brick and allow more light into the upper floor.
Efficient Layout and Light Manipulation
The elevated floor plan accommodates a two-car garage on the ground floor and full-width living spaces one flight up, maximizing light and creating a gracious entrance recessed under the cantilevered dining room. The dramatic foyer, reached through an oversized door of black metal and pebbled glass, features a 20-foot-high ceiling and is stripped of unnecessary details. Generous closet doors have recessed finger pulls, trimless pot lights are hidden, and black metal door handles blend into the black door.
The Staircase as a Centerpiece
The graphic black-and-white-oak staircase is a riff on Ando, with alternating flights of open and closed risers that conceal and reveal light. A huge skylight at the top illuminates the space, while a narrow reveal near the wall sends slivers of light down throughout the day. Exterior windows on the foyer and interior windows transmit light and views, making the staircase a dynamic element that changes with the sun.
Overall, this home demonstrates that minimalism can be both family-friendly and warm, embracing Ando's philosophy while adapting to the needs of modern family life.
