The house was formerly one of the starter models built in the 1970s within a planned suburban subdivision in Anaheim, California. It was expanded by the previous owner, resulting in a disproportionally long common area, considering the low ceilings. This remodel created disjointed shared spaces: the kitchen, living, and dining rooms are segmented by remnants of the old structural walls. The lack of windows and doors to the outside makes the interior poorly lit and disconnected from the gardens. Most importantly, the common area felt too confined for a family that appreciates nature.

The goal, therefore, is to create a single coherent living space that is both intimate, where everyone feels close together even if they are in different rooms, and expansive - as if the space is unbounded and merges with the gardens beyond.