When tackling this new home project, the family’s choice was to buy an existing home that would surely need updating or build a new one tailored to their needs and lifestyle, so the couple decided to build. They found an infill lot in their town of Fremont, California. Although its shape was unusual, its location, in a vibrant neighborhood with good schools, was perfect. Their next move was to hire architect Mahya Salehi, AIA, founder of the eponymously named studio. Here’s how Salehi made this family’s dream home come true.

Salehi has helped a lot of clients fix the problems resulting from an almost “reckless” embrace of open-concept floor plans. She’s well acquainted with the acoustic issues, inefficiency, and discomfort that can result from removing all walls, so she guided her clients carefully in balancing open and defined spaces throughout their home.