Dayton Residence, Silicon Valley, California house

Dayton Residence in Silicon Valley, CA

July 5, 2026

Architect: Mahya Salehi Studio

Location: Silicon Valley, California, USA

Photos by Adam Potts

Ancient History is at the Heart of This Second-Generation Builder’s California Courtyard Casa Mahya Salehi Studio brings Middle Eastern courtyard archetype to a compact Silicon Valley lot

When a second-generation California contractor and his family decided to build their own home, he turned to an architect he already knew: Mahya Salehi of Mahya Salehi Studio. Having previously collaborated with Salehi on client projects, Sergio, who owns his own construction company, walked into the project with inherent trust in the firm’s vision, paving the way for a collaborative partnership informed by both his and Salehi’s cultural backgrounds.

Originally occupied by a tired 1958 tract home, the modest 55-by-55-foot lot offered little at first glance beyond a mature redwood in the backyard, which the family was committed to preserving. With a near blank slate, they brought Salehi a simple brief: maximize space, maintain privacy, and create a place centered on gathering.

Salehi’s response did exactly that, placing an open-air courtyard at the center of the home, drawing on the architecture of her Iranian roots. The idea immediately resonated with Sergio, bringing to mind his

grandmother’s hacienda-style home in Mexico, where the typology traces back through Spanish and Islamic influence. The courtyard became the project’s defining move, drawing light and air into the center of the plan while creating a sheltered outdoor room that remains comfortable throughout the day.

This modern Silicon Valley house reveals itself in layers, all anchored by the courtyard that sits directly ahead upon entry. Beyond it lies the living room, a wall of glazing, and finally the backyard—the view pulling you through the house before you’ve taken a step.

Moving clockwise, the plan unfolds with intention, passing the dining area and into the kitchen, strategically positioned to serve both dining and living spaces. At the rear, the double-height family room faces the redwood tree, framed by a sloped butterfly roof that tempers the room’s scale.

The butterfly roofline emerged through its own logic. A 1,000-square-foot cap on the second story and a required setback from the front wall shaped the plan, allowing the dining room window to rise taller than a typical stacked condition would permit. The recessed second story then splits into two wings—a primary

suite on one side and bedrooms for two young daughters on the other—separated by a breezeway that looks over the double-height living room and out to the backyard. The roof resolves these moves as a single gesture: the butterfly’s pitch aligns precisely with the front monoslope, forming a continuous architectural expression.

The home balances restraint with warmth punctuated by moments of whimsy. A palette of sophisticated stone and wood is offset by playful pink Portuguese marble in the girls’ bathroom. At the edge of the courtyard, a concealed door reveals a hidden speakeasy. Programmatic flexibility further supports the family’s lifestyle: a junior accessory dwelling unit and detached accessory dwelling unit provide space for extended family to stay, with the latter doubling as Sergio’s office.

Through the courtyard, the project distills a centuries-old typology into a contemporary response to density, climate, and family life, proving that even the most compact sites can hold space for light, air, and connection.

Dayton Residence in Silicon Valley, California – Property Information

Architect: Mahya Salehi Studio – https://mahyasalehistudio.com/

Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Area Lot Size: 9,800 SF
House Footprint: 3,475 SF (2,775 Main house + 700 ADU)
Total Interior: 3,500 SF (Main house) + 700 SF (ADU)

Interior Design: Mahya Salehi Studio
Contractor: Integrum Construction
Structural and Civil : PEC solutions
Lighting Design: COSINE
Photographer: Adam Potts

About Mahya Salehi Studio

Mahya Salehi Studio is an architecture and interior design practice based in Walnut Creek, California. Founded by architect Mahya Salehi, AIA, the studio specializes in high-end residential projects that balance beauty, functionality, and a deep sensitivity to site and context. With a holistic approach, the team designs architecture and interiors in parallel—ensuring cohesive, tailored spaces that feel both timeless and highly personal.