Northern California Reserve

The project includes a new residence, pool and underground garage on a 450-acre hilltop site in Northern California. The majority of the site is preserved in agreement with a local land trust and shared as a community outdoor education resource. The site of the new residence had been disturbed by past uses and is being restored with native vegetation and landforms as part of the project. The residence is carefully sited to use the natural shade of mature oaks to minimize the summer heat gain and for added privacy, but also to capture views to the different character of the site all around it.

The long gable-roof structure has a quiet presence on the hilltop; designed to efficiently provide the needs of both family and guests in one space. Two open-air passages, or “dog trots”, run through the volume, differentiating the bedrooms from the main living volume. Between the two dog-trots is the common area where everyone comes together. All windows and doors in this volume slide into the wall, transforming it into an open-air pavilion. On foggy days, a centrally located four-sided glass fireplace acts as a proverbial hearth.

Client Statement

“Thank you for understanding so much better than we did…and for all the fun!”