Sunnyvale New Home Designed for Premium Multi-Generational Living
A family in Sunnyvale wanted a modern, premium home that reflected their style and offered functional, light-filled spaces for their twin daughters and mother-in-law. Rather than renovating the existing house, they decided to start fresh with a complete demolition to create a home that would support multi-generational living, blending comfort, privacy, and shared family spaces. From the beginning, the design needed to navigate Sunnyvale’s planning department design review and permitting processes efficiently, ensuring a smooth path from concept to construction.
Client
Vel Residence
Year
2025
The Challenge
The homeowners sought a single-family home that would feel spacious, modern, and elegant while blending seamlessly with the neighborhood. Key goals included:
Achieving a premium aesthetic with board-and-batten siding, stone accents, and a metal roof
Creating high ceilings with skylights and vaulted spaces for natural light and a sense of openness
Integrating wood beams to add warmth and character
Incorporating a comfortable mother-in-law suite to support multi-generational living
Meeting all Sunnyvale design review and permitting requirements without sacrificing design quality
The challenge was to deliver a home that was luxurious yet functional, modern yet timeless, and fully compliant with city planning regulations, tailored to the needs of a family with twin daughters and a parent living onsite.
The Approach
The design process began with a thorough site and zoning analysis to define the allowable building envelope. By addressing setbacks, lot coverage, and massing requirements upfront, we were able to design a home that maximized space and volume while satisfying Sunnyvale’s planning review expectations.
The home’s layout emphasizes open, flowing spaces while providing private, comfortable areas for multi-generational living. Vaulted ceilings and strategically placed skylights bring in abundant natural light, while wood beams and high-quality materials create a warm, premium interior. Board-and-batten siding paired with stone accents and a metal roof establish a modern, elegant exterior that enhances curb appeal. Every decision balanced aesthetic sophistication with practical living for a family spanning three generations.
Building a new home from the ground up in Sunnyvale allowed the family to create exactly the space they wanted - light, airy, and premium without compromise. Every detail, from the vaulted ceilings to the wood beams and mother-in-law suite, was intentional
The Result
The renovated single-story home now offers expanded, light-filled living spaces, flexible rooms for family life, and a cohesive design that balances clean modern interiors with the warmth of wood accents.
From the street, the home blends naturally into the Palo Alto neighborhood while clearly reflecting the family’s taste for simplicity and efficiency. Inside, the family enjoys a functional, inviting environment designed to support everyday life and long-term growth.
Working with a team experienced in Sunnyvale design review and permitting meant the project moved efficiently, giving the family confidence and peace of mind while accommodating three generations under one roof.
Designing Homes That Work in Sunnyvale
Prestin Ravid Architects specializes in new homes, renovations, and additions throughout Sunnyvale and the greater South Bay and Peninsula. Our designs focus on clean, high-quality, functional spaces informed by local zoning, permitting, and construction realities.
For homeowners seeking a premium modern home that supports multi-generational living, our approach ensures a clear process, fewer surprises, and a result that blends elegance with everyday livability.