The Sanctuary

General Contractors

Baywest Builders

Makers

Mueller Nicholls

Photographer

Joe Fletcher

Finishes

VG Alaskan Yellow Cedar
A · Pellizzari Concrete
Monarch
Benjamin Moore
Cabot
Heath Ceramics
Versico
All Weather Architectural Aluminum
West Coast Architectural Millwork
Goldengate Door & Window
Western Window Systems

FF&E

Newport Brass, Grohe, Kohler,
Victoria + Albert, Toto, Miele
Neolith, Wayne Dalton, Insinkerator
Rock Mountain Hardware, Rixson
Kracher, HTP, KWC, Tech Element
Edge Lighting, Number Eight, AXO
Cedar & Moss, Vibia, WAC Lighting
LBL, Best, Velux

Consultants, Engineers,
Sub-contractors

Kim Cladas Lighting Design
Ground Studio Landscape
Urban Tree Management
Strandberg Engineering
BKF Engineers
Romig Engineers Inc

The Sanctuary is sited quietly behind the large heritage oak tree with its canopy stretching across the generously sized front yard. After passing under its branches, guests are lead through a series of courtyards and view gardens that weave through the undulating footprint of the building. Each interior space is paired with its own landscape moment, allowing the architecture and landscape to flow into each other.

The structure floats on piers, allowing the building to participate in dialogue with the trees on site while protecting the root areas. The floor plate projects beyond the building envelope and dissolves into balconies to blur the sense of indoor/outdoor while at the same time lifting the building up from the ground. Similarly, the driveway is constructed out of floating concrete structural slabs supported on piers to minimize the impact on the heritage oak tree.

Three pavilions span the depth of the lot. The thoughtfully placed second story apartment is designed for rentals. Below, board-formed concrete walls serve as organizing elements in the main residence which separate private from public areas. The design features its many hidden courtyards, inviting guests to experience the same sense of wonder that first drew our clients to this urban oasis.

By expanding the living area to spill into the outdoor spaces, our teams provided ample room for the clients to entertain their ever expanding family. Diffused natural light streams into the space throughout the day, working gently with the clean material palette of concrete and Alaskan yellow cedar. The Sanctuary was constructed as a modern house that allows the landscape to speak first.