Residential Projects

Rear view of an Eichler-designed home in Palo Alto, CA, with large glass sliding doors, outdoor fire pit, and patio furniture, overlooking a well-lit interior living and dining area. Structural engineering by BASE Design in San Francisco.
Living room of an Eichler-designed home in Palo Alto, CA, with large glass doors opening to backyard, modern furniture, flat-screen TV, wood dining table, chairs, and outdoor seating area. Structural engineering by BASE Design in San Francisco.
Eichler-desgined home in Palo Alto, CA, with a flat roof, surrounded by a landscaped yard with various plants and flowers, and a light-colored bench near the house entrance.

All Photos: Mariko Reed

Single Family Residential – Original Eichler

Location : Palo Alto, CA
Completed: 2021
Architect: Klopf Architecture

This Eichler residence was thoughtfully expanded and reorganized to strengthen the relationship between interior living spaces and the surrounding landscape. The renovation introduced a larger primary suite, a more defined entry sequence, and expanded secondary bedrooms and bathroom areas to better support contemporary living.

The redesigned entry opens toward a light-filled atrium framed by custom storage elements, a full-height glass wall, and a geometric screen that references the home’s mid-century character. Large multi-panel sliding doors extend across the primary living spaces, allowing the interior to open fully to the outdoor environment.

The kitchen was relocated to anchor the main living area, forming a spacious great room that overlooks newly landscaped outdoor spaces. Continuous flooring extends from the interior to the atrium and rear patios, reinforcing the seamless indoor–outdoor living that defines this reimagined Eichler home.

We’ve had the pleasure of working with Base Design for nearly nine years, and they have been an incredible collaborator on many of our projects. They are thoughtful, highly responsive, and consistently produce clear, practical structural solutions that help make the permitting process much smoother.

Their deep understanding of agency requirements, along with their responsiveness and support throughout construction, helps keep projects moving efficiently. Over the years they have become a trusted consultant and valued partner in our work.
— Katherine Fontaine, Principal, Actually Design Build
Modern multi-story house with white exterior, open window, small second window, and balcony with railing, situated behind a landscaped yard with plants, trees, and wooden planters, under a clear blue sky. Structural engineering by BASE Design in San
A modern kitchen with a white marble island, a window showing blue sky, and a door leading to an outdoor balcony with a wooden railing, blue sky, and trees. Structural engineering by BASE Design in San Francisco.
A modern multi-story house with a garage, a front door, and several large windows. The house has beige and white siding, a small front yard with plants, and a black car parked in front. Structural engineering by BASE Design in San Francisco.

Single Family Residential – Renovation of Existing Construction

Location: San Francisco, CA
Size: Approx. 2,900 SF
Stories: 3
Use: Residential
Architect: Actually Design Build

All Photos: Mariko Reed

Renovation of and addition to an existing two story single family home located in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood.  Interior walls at the existing ground and second floors were demolished, new window and door openings were added in the rear wall at the ground and second floors, and a third floor was added to the building.  A new deck off the kitchen provides accessible outdoor space and has stairs with access to the rear yard.

BASE Design provided structural engineering services for this addition and remodel, including a full seismic retrofit of the building, framing to support the existing floors where existing walls were removed, and new foundations throughout the building.  Existing foundations were left in place along the property line walls, as they were found to have adequate strength to support the third floor.

A modern multi-story apartment building with balconies, large windows, and landscaped trees outside on a sunny day. Structural engineering by BASE Design in San Francisco.
Three-story building with a beige and white facade, balconies on the second and third floors, and a tree partially in front. Structural engineering by BASE Design in San Francisco.

400 Block Mixed-Use Building

Location: Hollister, CA
Size: Approx. 34,000 SF
Stories: 3
Use: Mixed-Use (Commercial + Residential)
Architect: Reid Lerner Architects

A new three-story, approximately 34,000-square-foot mixed-use building in Hollister, California, with commercial spaces at the ground level and residential units above. The building includes a rooftop terrace and a 2,000-square-foot outdoor amenity space designed for shared use by residents.

BASE Design provided structural engineering services, delivering an efficient, code-compliant structural system that supports the mixed-use program and rooftop amenities while prioritizing constructability and long-term performance.