Living Large: California Dreamin’

Photograph by Jeffrey Dodge Rogers

 Densely packed Cambridge rarely opens up to newcomers. But about a decade ago, architect Elizabeth Gibb and her researcher husband set out to wedge a little West Coast happiness between all the dark and drafty stick-built Victorians. Because the light-filled, cheerful house they wanted didn’t exist, the couple hopped on their bikes and scouted for a teardown that would allow them to build it. They found the right site within walking distance of Porter Square and — after several spirited rounds with the zoning board — constructed and outfitted a 4,011-square-foot house with star-studded appliances, an Arclinea kitchen, and the most energy-efficient heating system in town. Like every good modern abode, it’s got a double-height living room and multiple decks, temptations all, but what I covet most is the bookshelf-lined mezzanine — how very erudite.

Photograph by Jeffrey Dodge Rogers

Address: 10 Newell St., Cambridge

Listing price: $2,250,000

Listing agents: John Petrowsky and Christian Jones, Hammond Residential, 617-497-4400, real-estate-cambridge.com

Stats: Four bedrooms, three full baths, one half bath