Preserving Spirit
A rare handcrafted adobe is restored to honor heritage while supporting modern multigenerational living
In California’s Bay Area, a rare 1930s adobe home, constructed by hand using “Bitudobe,” a unique clay-bitumen mix formed onsite by the original owners, has been thoughtfully restored for a modern, multigenerational family with deep Mexican roots. When the new owners purchased the home, it was barely habitable: walls were out of alignment, heating and cooling nonexistent save some aging fireplaces, and electrical wiring exposed. Though rebuilding would have been much simpler and cheaper, the couple saw the adobe structure as a vital link to their heritage.
Quick Facts
Type: Historic Renovation
Location: Palo Alto, California
Area: 4,500 Sq-ft
For this Palo Alto historic renovation, FGA preserved the original adobe footprint while modernizing the home for safety and comfort. The renovation leaned into the home’s quirks – restoring a mural of ancestors panning for gold, salvaging original cabinetry and hardware, and replicating what couldn’t be saved with help from Mexican artisans. Seismic upgrades required innovation and precision: steel pins were discreetly threaded from roof to ground through the adobe walls. With no conventional wall cavities, HVAC and electrical systems were cleverly hidden in dropped ceilings and under a new floor slab, with adobe carefully patched to match.
Every design decision was intentional, drawing from Hispanic art, craftsmanship, and color. Exposed wood beams, handpainted tiles, and colored millwork set the tone, while a continuous picture rail showcases meaningful art. A sunny yellow Dutch door off the kitchen opens to a flourishing veggie garden and potting table, and a separate ADU houses a baking kitchen outfitted with top of the line appliances for the owner’s passion for breadmaking.
Project Credits
General Contractor: Pete Moffat Construction
Landscape: Ragno Ross & Associates
Structural Engineering: Strandberg
Photography: Ye Rin Mok
Styling: Rachel Forslund