A major addition and full renovation of a 1970s split-level in Los Altos — third-level bedroom suite, new two-car garage, expanded kitchen, and a redesigned exterior that made a significant addition look like it was always there.
The owners of this Los Altos home had the lot — what they lacked was the functionality to match it. Their 1970s split-level sat on an oversized property but felt constrained and underutilized at every step. They came to Lussoro for a major renovation and addition, with one clear condition: whatever was added shouldn't look or feel like an addition. Scale, proportion, and architectural cohesion were non-negotiable from day one.
Accommodating a new bedroom suite required a third level, which meant the addition needed to originate off the rear of the home — a move that also created an opportunity to excavate down to the garden level and introduce a new two-car garage. Blending a significant structural addition naturally into an existing 1970s split-level, while upgrading the exterior aesthetic and overhauling the interior, required careful coordination across every trade and every decision.
The new garage sits below, with a family room directly above it to naturally buffer sound between levels. A south-facing deck extends the living space outward and works year-round in Los Altos. On the exterior, horizontal siding and vertical board and batten break up the facade in a way that reads as bungalow-influenced but contemporary — and smooth stucco over the original garden-level brick adds texture without overcomplicating the palette. The home looks designed, not patched.
Inside, the kitchen was expanded and fully redone — new tile, countertops, cabinetry, and lighting. A walk-in pantry and laundry room were folded into the addition, and the entry was expanded with ceilings raised to ten feet. That change alone transformed how the home feels from the moment you walk through the door. The new bedroom suite makes the most of its elevated position, and the ensuite bathroom lives considerably larger than its footprint would suggest.