Round House

Round House is a circular residential building in Los Altos Hills designed with a central hallway that distributes traffic through pie-shaped rooms. The main floor wraps around this core, while lower levels include guest quarters and covered parking.

Built in 1965, this residence employed a large compass-like measurement tool during construction to establish its precise circular form. The circular approach to residential design was uncommon for this era.

The renovation converted an open-air courtyard into a circular kitchen with a large skylight, reflecting modern California family lifestyle preferences.

This is a private residence not open to public visits, though the circular form is visible from nearby viewing points. The exterior can be appreciated from public roads in the neighborhood.

The exterior features charred wood siding using the Japanese shou sugi ban technique, giving it a distinctive dark finish. The large kitchen skylight at the center creates shadow patterns throughout the day that trace a natural sundial effect.

GPS coordinates: 34.04970,-118.24600

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:40