Heather Young Architects

Heather Young Architects Heather Young Architects is an award-winning architectural firm focusing on commercial, mixed-use, multi-family, and residential architecture.

06/05/2026

Its all in the details: From bespoke woodwork to crisp, intentional detailing, every element of this collaborative project was thoughtfully designed to come together with purpose and precision. It’s these subtle touches that elevate a space, bringing warmth, character, and a refined sense of craftsmanship.
Grateful to be part of a team that values quality, creativity, and the beauty of well-executed details!

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Design is a process, and it often takes many iterations to explore how mass and form of new construction fits into an ex...
05/29/2026

Design is a process, and it often takes many iterations to explore how mass and form of new construction fits into an existing neighborhood. For this multi-unit project, a front-facing gable roof was proposed to create vaulted, light-filled ceilings for the upper unit. Extending the roofline beyond the gable allowed for a parapet wall at the rear roof terrace, enhancing privacy while also meeting daylight plane requirements which was challenged in the squared off option. Each iteration is an opportunity to test, adjust, and improve. It’s all part of shaping a design that is both functional and thoughtfully resolved.

We’re excited to highlight Daphne Edwards and her team at DELA for the beautiful landscape architecture on this project....
05/22/2026

We’re excited to highlight Daphne Edwards and her team at DELA for the beautiful landscape architecture on this project. She thoughtfully shaped a series of wild yet manageable terraces and poolside moments, bringing a natural, park-like quality to the outdoor spaces. Her ability to create cohesion across the extended backyard elevates the entire experience, proof that professional, meaningful collaboration with talented creatives makes all the difference.

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Landscape Design: DELA https://www.delandarch.com
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Even on a narrow lot, the HYA team turned constraints into clarity, delivering a home that feels both refined and ground...
05/14/2026

Even on a narrow lot, the HYA team turned constraints into clarity, delivering a home that feels both refined and grounded. Inspired by Scandinavian design, it pairs clean lines with thoughtful contrasts: deep charcoal brick at the base and muted green vertical board siding for a timeless, understated presence. Out back, the design really opens up with a backyard anchored by a covered porch that extends living outdoors, creating a sheltered, intimate space for gathering, relaxing, and connecting with the landscape.

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You will be missed Professor & Architect Donlyn Lyndon. Over fifty years ago, alongside a small group of innovative arch...
05/07/2026

You will be missed Professor & Architect Donlyn Lyndon. Over fifty years ago, alongside a small group of innovative architects, he helped imagine a different way of building, one rooted in humility, landscape, and community. As a founding member of MLTW, Lyndon significantly influenced the development of The Sea Ranch, where rugged coastline and thoughtful design came together in quiet harmony. From Condominium One to the Moonraker Athletic Center, he exemplified his commitment to simplicity, communal spaces, and a sustainable relationship with the land.
Equally devoted to teaching, Lyndon spent his entire professional life as both architect and educator, guiding generations of students at UC Berkeley, the University of Oregon, and MIT before returning to Berkeley as Professor Emeritus. He had a gift for distilling complex ideas into simple, lasting guidance. As he often put it, the success of a house begins with how it meets its site: "choose a plan not just for how it looks, but for how it places rooms where they belong, draws out the best of the land and its views, and contributes meaningfully to its neighbors and the larger landscape". His legacy lives on not only in the places he helped shape, but in the many architects he inspired to think more carefully about design, community, and the natural world.

1. Portrait via the Press Democrat
2. Condominium One
3. MLTW Architects: Richard Whitaker, Donlyn Lyndon, Charles Moore & William Turnbull. Photo By Jim Alinder
4. Walkway towards the Sea Ranch

Architectural Inspiration of the Day courtesy of HYA designer Savannah Young: Hawthorne Gallery in Big Sur, CA. Architec...
05/01/2026

Architectural Inspiration of the Day courtesy of HYA designer Savannah Young: Hawthorne Gallery in Big Sur, CA. Architect: Mickey Muennig. The gallery view from the street is both simple and dramatic as it peers over the surrounding landscape. While driving through Big Sur’s winding roads, Savannah noticed much of the landscape remains untouched, and this structure stands out in a way that draws you in. She mentioned that once inside, the gallery perfectly frames views in all directions, turning your attention back to the outdoors. You can tell that even small details were well thought out for example: the beautiful unique entry door, portions of the floor that are clear glass where you can look down, curved & organic timber ceiling, perfect to host all the beautiful art!

We checked in on our living green wall at 2555 Park and it continues to look lush and beautiful just as we had planned b...
04/22/2026

We checked in on our living green wall at 2555 Park and it continues to look lush and beautiful just as we had planned back in 2020. A living green wall does more than brighten a space, it brings joy to everyone who passes by and reconnects urban life with nature. Happy Earth Day!

You can never have too much storage in a kitchen, especially for a client who loves to cook. This space was fully reimag...
04/17/2026

You can never have too much storage in a kitchen, especially for a client who loves to cook. This space was fully reimagined from its tired 1950s origins, transforming it into a warm and functional hub for everyday living and entertaining. The redesign introduces generous cabinetry, oak open shelving, Caesarstone countertops, and soft, ambient lighting to create a space that is both practical and inviting.

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Last week our founder & principal Heather Young was in Mexico City with the Watkin Council for and they had the rare op...
04/10/2026

Last week our founder & principal Heather Young was in Mexico City with the Watkin Council for and they had the rare opportunity to visit one of our favorite Luis Barragán Houses: Casa Galvez 1955. Luis Barragán had the ability to blend the vibrant Mexican tradition with modern architecture creating playful, colorful yet peaceful spaces. We love these moments Heather captured!



Working with the existing post-tensioned concrete structure, the new design re-clads and revitalizes the aging façade wi...
04/03/2026

Working with the existing post-tensioned concrete structure, the new design re-clads and revitalizes the aging façade with a refined palette of sustainable, energy-efficient materials. The result enhances the pedestrian experience while creating a welcoming and engaging public entry. We love how the new design naturally draws you in. Swipe to see the before entry!

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81 Encina Avenue
Palo Alto, CA
94301

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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