Jagoda Architecture Co.
Completed in 2023. Remodel and restoration to a midcentury cabin in Tahoe City, CA. Originally built in 1970, this cabin has an exposed structural ceiling and a straightforward, logical layout, oriented toward the forest view.
The most impactful intervention in this project was opening up the gable end wall with full glass, bringing the view of the trees to the fore, and highlighting the beauty of this specific site. Material selections throughout the project are all acting in service of reinforcing the feel of being in nature, chosen for their warmth and texture. To highlight the volumetric quality of the main living areas and the beauty of the repetitive structure, warm lighting at the top of the ceiling casts a glow between each beam.
Two bedrooms upstairs have high ceilings, the downstairs bedroom is more cozy with paneled walls. Updated main bathroom tile in a custom mosaic, referencing Joseph Albers paintings and 1970s supergraphics style and colors, lower level bath is compact with crisp white mosaic tile. New kitchen cabinets are made of utilitarian plywood with douglas fir pattern, grain-matched.
Builder: Tony Vitorello of woodgrainco.com @woodgrain.co
Photography: Sterling Reed of sterlingreedphotography.com @sterlingreed.us
Remodel and rehab of a 1960s midcentury style house in the redwoods, completed 2020. Remodeled kitchen, both bathrooms, and laundry room, plus added built-in sofa and shelves in the family room, and the “entry-pantry volume” as a divider between the entry and the kitchen. Added skylights and replaced windows and doors with better quality units. New flooring throughout, custom steel handrails, hearth and kitchen backsplash.
Inspired by the materials and forms of Sea Ranch and the supergraphics work of Barbara Solomon, color and graphic scale factored heavily into design decisions. Refernce to Richard Neutra is made by painting of selected wood elements in silver. The custom yellow shelves in the living room also function as a “cat ladder” as well as a people ladder and bookshelf.
Other architects proposed radical transformations for this house, but fortunately Jagoda and the owners agreed to preserve and enhance the character house, and sought to emphases the inherent beauty of the existing structure. Original materials of luan ply and rough-sawn redwood plank paneling are restored and preserved throughout.
Woodside, CA
Contractor: Jesse Ososki Art
Photos: Ye Rin Mok.
Published: Dwell Magazine May/June 2022
Ground-up steel construction, Palo Alto, CA. Completed 2018.
The Robinson Residence is a 5400 sq foot house with an 800 sq foot garage, designed for a young couple and their two children.
The Robinsons sought a design that was modern and open, that was private in front and open toward the rear yard. They wanted a structural steel frame for its resilience to earthquakes, and the design of the building form takes advantage of steel’s excellent performance in tension. The second floor "crow's nest" cantilevers out over the entry area to make a cover, and more dramatically, the master bedroom is suspended from the roof structure above, and cantilevers out over the sliding glass door dividing the dining area from the covered courtyard.
Private spaces are all on the second floor, with the semi-private family room/ mezzanine divding the children's area from the parents' area.
The semi-public areas have obscure glass facing the street, and clear glass facing the back yard.
The first floor sliding glass wall is slightly angled to face due south, and opens with no post in the corner, allowing the "public" spaces of the living - dining- kitchen areas to join completely with the covered courtyard, and transition seamlessly to the yard.
The house’s primary materials are exposed structural steel with cedar ceilings, stucco and curtain wall exterior, and heated concrete floors. The full basement has four light wells and is lit along the south edge by a glass walkway above. Custom cabinetry includes a custom cabinetry jib-door shelf, and a cedar clad entry-tv-fireplace volume. This begins as a genkan entry seat and shoe storage combined and backs up to the family room functions of tv and fireplace
Light travels all the way through the house, which glows day and night.
Built by vonClemm Construction
Photos by Jagoda and by Harold Gomes
Kitchen remodel and additon, Palo Alto. Completed 2015.
This project involved a complete remodel of the entire kitchen, including removing the wall that closed it off from the informal family room. The original house’s formal living and dining rooms remain at the front of the building, but now the kitchen, breakfast area, and tv room are connected to the kitchen.
We added a 12’ long pass through window to the barbecue area on the adjacent porch. There is a home office at the end of the wall of full height cabinets, next to a beverage station. The island has a butcher block countertop and bar seats, and is designed for communal prep.
Eichler remodel, Palo Alto. 2014. This remodel included the kitchen, bathrooms, added skylights, and hardware and material upgrades and specifications throughout.
Two writing studios, a half bath, and a library/ rumpus room in a former garage. This structure still meets the requirements for a garage, but with better light and more refined fittings. Custom cabinetry and shelving, custom jib door doors.
Photos: Zen Sekizawa
Builder: Above Board Construction
1900 sq foot duplex, converted into a single family home. Interior butterfly ceiling reflects the roof shape behind the parapet wall. Pool and pool storage building completed as a second phase.
Photos: Joshua White
Builder: Above Board Construction
Also known as the Jagoda Pagoda, the Tilden house was built for my family. Completed 2008.
Photos: Joshua White
Interior remodel of a William Krisel condo in Palm Desert, California. Custom furnishings including low tables, horsehair bolsters, end tables, and stainless steel bed frames.
Remodel, in phases, including custom steel and glass entry gates, kitchen and bathrooms, custom picnic tables, custom bed frames, etc.
Located in Santa Monica, California, along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway.
West Hollywood, California. Poolhouse and rear facade of main house.
Mandeville Canyon. This is a remodel of a 1951 post and beam house, nestled in the canyon with views out to oak trees.
Photos: Joshua White
Major structural remodel, including bathroom and kitchen.
New construction. Completed 2017. 395 square feet, freestanding karate studio. Traditional Japanese elements referenced from teahouse design are intended to enhance mindfulness and meditation.
Interior remodel of original house and addition of second unit below. Indoor-outdoor rooms addition, both units.
Published: Sunset Magazine, 2004; Bohemian Modern, Living in Silverlake by Barbara Bestor 2006
New construction, completed 2001. 4300 sq ft. The focus of this house is the relationship between public and private areas. The rooms are generously proportioned, and the common areas open onto the courtyards.
Builder: BT Custom Builders
Photos: Joshua White
Floyd interview 2021
Emily Jagoda is the Architect. Period. “Inside Stories” interview for Suprstructur 2021
new york times, February 9, 2011 (slideshow) (text)
wall street journal house of the day, August 5, 2009
houzz, November 2011
remodelista, August 2009
apartment therapy, July 2009
eye candy, July 2009
bohemian modern: living in silver lake, by barbara bestor. April 2006
better homes and gardens, May 2004
sunset magazine, Feb 2004
index magazine, May/June 1999
metropolis magazine
details magazine
offramp 6
offramp 7
Dwell, Houses We Love, September 2014
