After living and building homes in Singapore and Hong Kong, a professional couple and their two teenage children were yearning for a house in Atherton, California, that would comfortably accommodate the lives of each of the family members, as well as provide opportunities for wonder and awe.

Architect Mark English, principal of Mark English Architects, developed an indoor-outdoor home with a classic H-shaped plan with two wings connected by a double-height entertaining space. To create that awe-inspiring moment, the designer placed a custom-fabricated, two-story circular stair of steel and glass between the living and eating areas. Functionally, it connects the main level to the upper level, and down to the basement lounge below, while artistically, it stands as a focal point to the owners and their guests.

For its innovation in architecture and creative use of materials, the home earned the Grand Award for Best Custom Home Over 8,000 Square Feet at the 2022 Gold Nugget Awards. “It’s just so confidently handled,” declares one Gold Nugget juror. “The idea that they do so much with so little, I think is really amazing.”

See the full collection of winning projects from the 2022 Gold Nugget Awards at goldnuggetawards.com.