Redwood City Second-Story Addition and Exterior Renovation
This Redwood City project began with a modest, dated single-story home that no longer met the needs of a young couple who had just welcomed their first daughter. Rather than relocating, they chose to invest in their home and transform it through a second-story addition and complete exterior renovation. The goal was to create a refined, functional home that would support family life while navigating Redwood City’s design review process with clarity and confidence
Client
Neys Residence
Year
2021
The Challenge
The existing home lacked both space and architectural presence. Low ceilings, limited storage, and an exterior that no longer reflected the owners’ taste made it clear that a thoughtful expansion was needed. The addition had to feel intentional and balanced, not simply added on, while complying with Redwood City’s design review requirements and neighborhood context.
Key priorities included
Adding a second story that felt cohesive with the original structure
Reworking the exterior architecture to create a unified, modern appearance
Designing calm, elegant interiors suitable for a growing family
Incorporating tray ceilings and refined finishes to elevate the living spaces
Successfully navigating Redwood City design review and building permits
The Approach
The design focused on reshaping the home both spatially and architecturally. The second-story addition was carefully proportioned to maintain balance and scale, ensuring it felt natural within the neighborhood streetscape. Exterior materials and detailing were redesigned from the ground up, transforming the home’s appearance while maintaining a sense of permanence and warmth.
Inside, the layout prioritized comfort, light, and flow. Tray ceilings add subtle architectural interest and a sense of height without excess, while elegant finishes bring cohesion and warmth throughout the home. The design balanced openness with privacy, creating spaces that support daily routines and long-term family living.
Redwood City Design Review and Permitting
Because the project involved a second-story addition, it required formal design review in Redwood City. We prepared detailed architectural drawings, elevations, and material palettes to clearly communicate the design intent and address massing, scale, and neighborhood compatibility.
By engaging the design review process thoughtfully and responding efficiently to feedback, the project moved smoothly through approvals and into building permit review. Early coordination helped minimize revisions and allowed construction to proceed with confidence.
The Result
The completed home is dramatically transformed from its original state. The second story integrates seamlessly, and the reimagined exterior gives the house a refined, contemporary presence. Inside, tray ceilings, elegant finishes, and carefully proportioned spaces create a home that feels calm, welcoming, and well considered.
What was once a constrained, dated house is now a light-filled family home designed to grow alongside its owners and their daughter
Adding a second story allowed the homeowners to remain in their neighborhood while creating a home that truly supports their new life as a family.
A thoughtful design review process ensured the transformation felt cohesive, intentional, and appropriate for its Redwood City setting
Designing Homes That Work in Redwood City
Prestin Ravid Architects designs additions, renovations, and new homes throughout Redwood City and the greater South Bay and Peninsula. Our work emphasizes architectural clarity, elegant detailing, and a practical understanding of local design review and permitting processes.
For homeowners considering a second-story addition in Redwood City, our approach delivers a clear path from concept to approval and a home that feels both elevated and enduring.