Veil House

Privacy and transparency for the Veil House

Veil House is a ground-up residence in one of Old Palo Alto’s most established neighborhoods, replacing a small, dark 1930s ranch with a light-filled contemporary retreat that carefully balances privacy, transparency and connection to the garden. Organized as a series of volumes around outdoor living spaces, the project includes a main residence, an integrated JADU, a detached ADU and a garage. A layered system of vertical wood slat screens acts as a veil, modulating light, framing views and calibrating privacy while maintaining a sense of openness. Paired with expansive glazing and a grounded material palette, the design creates a dynamic interplay of solid and transparent elements. At the center of the home, living spaces extend to a pool and generous decks, supporting daily family life and gathering while maintaining a strong connection to the landscape.