SITE DETAILS AND CONSTRAINTS:
This project in Marin County, CA, north of San Francisco, is built on a lot that was vacant when purchased by the client. The V-shaped site has a natural drainage swale through its center, effectively dividing the land in half. The site’s natural topography simultaneously presents a challenge and an incredible opportunity for a unique build with and amazing view of Mt. Tamalpais and nearby hillsides.
DESIGN STRATEGY ON SITE:
DNM Architecture’s design strategy combines practicality and environmental sensitivity to make as little impact on the site as possible. The main dwelling is placed along the slope on the NE side of the lot to minimize the grading and maximize the views of Mt. Tam to the southeast. A separate two-car garage
and ADU is located on the SW portion of the lot, on the opposite side of the swale, which preserves the natural flow of water through the site. The home’s driveway begins near the garage and runs almost flat along the edge of the property (parallel with the road), connecting the two buildings and bringing visitors through the property in a procession of discovery.
PROCESSION AND DISCOVERY DESIGN STRATEGY:
As visitors enter the property at the SW corner, they begin a journey from one corner of this unique property to the opposite corner. For the first part, one travels the length of the driveway, past the garage/ADU building to the entrance of the home. Continuing the linear journey through the site, a trellis-covered walkway straight ahead brings visitors to the front door and into the home’s foyer. A few steps inside, the Living/Dining Room is revealed and pulls attention to the giant windows exposing the beautiful natural surroundings.
Following the path, visitors walk through the home out to the pool and deck where the journey ends in the NE corner of the site. When developing building plans, a sense of procession-and-discovery is a hallmark of DNM Architecture; here, visitors enter the property at one corner and eventually arrive at the opposite, moving from open sky to partially-filtered sky (trellis-covered walkway) to ceiling (indoors) and back out to open sky (patio) – along the way discovering the modern interior spaces and grandiose views.
FLOORPLAN REVIEW/CIRCULATION:
The floorplan was designed with efficiency and capturing scenic views in mind. The main artery of the home is the implied hallway (less of a physical one); it is the central access point for all areas of the home. The main floor/upper level is where most of the daily living takes place. Once visitors pass through the foyer, a large living room with a 14’ ceiling is revealed. A giant picture window frames Mt. Tam to the southeast quickly becomes the focal point of the living space. Squared up directly opposite the view is a modern, open kitchen that features custom European cabinetry.
Two large glass pocket doors (10’ and 8’) disappear into the wall behind the fireplace, creating a porous connection to the outdoor terrace, which features living and dining areas, a pool, and dedicated bathroom. The indoor/outdoor relationship between the two living areas, with their shared views and privacy afforded by the site’s topography, is California living at its finest. The master suite is located on the upper floor and affords the same amazing views from the bedroom
and private balcony. The lower level contains offices for the working couple, a family/TV room, and a guest bedroom – for when the grown children visit.
MATERIALS AND INTERIOR DESIGN:
Another unique feature of this design is the home’s structural steel modular framing, chosen for its durability, fire resistance and weather resistance versus traditional wood framing. Sheathed in stucco and fiber cement siding, the home is hardened against potential wildfire. Additionally, as with all new California homes, there is no gas – all systems are electric. A comprehensive list of materials and brands used in the project can be found in the following pages.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
The home was built with energy efficiency in mind. The structure is highly insulated, and the siting provides minimum glass on north side and maximum glass on the south with overhangs. The linear design promotes cross ventilation for natural cooling. The home uses a high-efficiency mini split heat pump for HVAC and a high-efficiency hybrid electric heater for hot water. In all, the building exceeds CA T24 standards by more than 25%.
Team:
Architects: DNM Architecture
Builder: SinglePoint Design Build Inc
Landscape Architect: Pedersen Associates Landscape Architecture
Structural Engineers: L & L Bridges, Turbin Structural Engineering
Civil Engineer: DeBolt Civil Engineering
Pool: Hendrikson Pools Inc
Photographers: Jamie Leasure, David Marlatt
Materials used:
Exterior Materials:
Garage doors – insulated steel modern tech doors by Norwest Door Co.; installed by Northgate Garage Doors of San Rafael
Exterior fencing – powder coated aluminum by Mulholland Brands
Exterior stairways design and fabrication – by On Spot Welding
Exterior siding – Nichiha Vintage Wood Cedar fiber cement siding
Exterior stucco – by Redwood Lath & Plaster
Structural steel framing – BONE Structure
Interior Materials:
Entry door – custom by Curtis & Sons of Petaluma, wood
Interior doors – custom by Curtis & Sons of Petaluma; solid core prime skins with poplar jambs
Exercise room frosted glass barn doors – by the Sliding Door Company
Door hardware – Baldwin Satin Nickel Levers with Contemporary Square Rose
Plywood ceiling and soffits – Russian birch
Wood flooring – Provenza Sugar Hill white oak engineered flooring
Windows – Weathershield Contemporary Collection; Obsidian Aluminum Clad Exterior and Jet Black Wood Interior
Stairs – steel frame by Bone Structure; custom white oak treads by Scott Bell
Stair rail – by View Rail; black aluminum and onyx rods
Fireplace – electric fireplace model XLF60 by Dimplex
Kitchen + Pantry:
Kitchen and bath flooring – large format porcelain tiles in +1 Ash by Milestone
Kitchen and bar Countertops – MSI Calacatta Miraggio Gold
counter backsplash – MSI Arctic White
Island surround – Silestone Calypson 2cm
installation by Bay Stone Works of San Jose
Kitchen Cabinetry – Erika Lam and Erika Fenix by Aran, purchased and installed by European
Cabinets and Design Studio of Palo Alto
Kitchen Faucets – Grohe Concerto L-spout in SuperSteel finish
Refrigerator – Gaggenhau
Cooktop – Bosch induction
Dishwashers – Bosch
Hood – Miele
Pantry custom cabinetry – white oak by Scott Bell of Alameda
Kitchen and panty sinks – Krause Dex in stainless steel
Pantry faucet – Signature Ridgeway in polished nickel
Lighting and Utilities:
Ceiling lights – Nora Lighting Cobalt Click lights
Recessed lighting – Nano 4" with square trim
Lighting controls – Lutron Caseta
Hot water heater – Rheem Professional Prestige Hybrid Electric
HVAC system – ducted mini split heat pump systems by Bryant (carrier); installation by Enviro Heating and Air
Outdoor Living Space:
Patio deck system – Bison Porcelain Pavers (Seastone Gray) on Pedestals
Pool tile – Isola Elba by NPT
Coping stone – French Gray Modern by StepStone
Pool Plaster - Altima White
Retractable pool cover - by Pool Covers Inc
Bathrooms and Master Closet:
Powder room vanity and cabinet - Porcelanosa Folk model
Modern vanity cabinetry by Scott Bell
Bathroom wall tiles are by Porcelanosa
Master bath tiles – Brunei Blanco with a brushed aluminum spacer
Pool bath – Newport Grey and Old Grey
Guest bedroom bath – Portofino Pulido
Lower hall bath – alternating Park Acero and Park Lineal Acero
Bath box mirrors – by Scott Bell
Bath sinks – Kohler Verticyl 17” Rectangle in white
Bath toilets – Kohler San Souci in white
Bath faucets – Hansgrohe Talis E in polished chrome
Towel and tissue holders – ICO Volcano Ash
Frameless shower glass – Schicker Shower Doors
Mirrors for master bath and closet – Dotto Glass
Master bath mirror lights – Span by Tech Lighting in black finish
Master closet custom cabinets and shelving – white oak; by Scott Bell
