While commonly known as a tech hub, Silicon Valley is home to a number of impressive residential designs. US reporter Bridget Cogley picks out six stand-out homes in the area.

About an hour-and-a-half drive south from Downtown San Francisco, Silicon Valley comprises over a dozen cities and is best known as the setting for the vast headquarters of Google, Facebook and Apple.

From the charming, tree-lined streets of Palo Alto to more rugged properties, the region also has a range of house typologies from mid-century to contemporary structures.

The hot and sunny climate, in particular, also suits low-slung homes with plenty of windows and outdoor spaces.

Read on for six striking houses in Silicon Valley:

Pam and Paul's House, Cupertino, by Craig Steely Architecture

This two-storey house is integrated into a sloping site in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Cupertino, which is also home to Apple's Steve Jobs Theater Pavilion.

San Francisco firm Craig Steely Architecture designed the project with a garage on top, expansive glass walls, and a purple couch built into the floor.

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Los Altos Residence, Los Altos, by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Architecture firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson built a low-slung home in Los Altos, a Silicon Valley city with an old town feel.

The residence is clad in wood and arranged around a courtyard with a swimming pool, detached guest house and garden.

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Waverley House, Palo Alto, by EYRC

Waverly House is located in the quaint city of Palo Alto – with its residential streets filled with cafes and shops – and is a few blocks from the home of late Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

EYRC completed the residence as a series of boxy forms wrapped in Danish brick and large stretches of glass on lushly planted site.

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Tree House, Palo Alto, by Aidlin Darling Design

Another home in Palo Alto is this linear, black property by Aidlin Darling Design.

Called Tree House, the project is enclosed by mature redwood trees and evergreen oaks and features several outdoor spaces.

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Overlook Guest House, Los Gatos, by Schwartz and Architecture

A large hole punctures the roof of this residence that Schwartz and Architecture designed in the city of Los Gatos.

The concrete dwelling, called Overlook Guest House, perches on a hill and is supported by pillars, and has expansive mountain views.

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Silicon Valley Residence, Los Altos Hills, by Malcolm Davis Architecture

Rounding out our list of top houses in Silicon Valley is this dwelling by Malcolm Davis Architecture in Los Altos Hills.

The low-slung residence is clad in cedar and outfitted with a swimming pool, outdoor living room and lush garden.

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