Frame House
Bruce Damonte
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrandProduct Name
Plumbing fixturesGRAFF
Kitchen countersCaesarstone
TubAntonio Lupi Design S.p.A.
RoofingSika
WCDuravit
Kitchen appliancesSub-Zero/Wolf

Product Spec Sheet
Plumbing fixtures
Kitchen counters
Roofing
by Sika
WC
by Duravit
Kitchen appliances

Frame House in Sonoma

Mork-Ulnes Architects as Architects

A concrete framework establishes the structure and rhythm of Frame House, a residence atop a hill in the Sonoma countryside. Rooted on a plateau above a forested canyon and vineyards, this structural grid maximizes the connection between the inside and out, allowing for natural light and direct access to the exterior from almost every room in the house. The loggia, which wraps three sides of the house’s perimeter, shades the living spaces below, and provides access to expansive views from the second level decks.

photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte
photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte

The materials of the house are organic and rustic in their appearance and tactility, while providing resilience against the threat of the wildfires which have become prevalent in the Sonoma valley and damaged the previous residence on the site. To protect the new home, concrete shear walls are clad in a sacrificial layer of greying wood siding between the columns, which also organize the interior spaces. This rigorous concrete framework creates a perch from which to take in the vistas of the property and beyond.  

photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte
photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte

In contrast to the exterior of the house, clad in a fire-proof armor, the warm interiors are lined in Douglas Fir. The house has an extroverted relationship to the surrounding landscape, connecting the interior in almost every room to the California climate. On the inside, the home is organized around a double height space over the kitchen that connects the two levels and is punctuated by a floating catwalk leading to the two bedroom wings upstairs. 

photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte
photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte

The program of the house contains 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, media room, and great room in 4,000 square feet, with interior furnishings curated by The Office of Charles de Lisle. The 18 acre property includes a 3 bedroom, 3 bath all concrete guesthouse also designed by Mork-Ulnes Architects and with interior by Charles de Lisle. The garden, vegetable beds, and pool were designed by Surface Design.

photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte

Team:
Architect: Mork-Ulnes Architects 
Landscape architect: Surfacedesign, Inc. (Roderick Wyllie and Michal Kapitulnik) 
Structural engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers (Kevin Zucco and Drew Fagent)
Interior Design: The Office of Charles De Lisle
Geotechnical Engineer: RGH Consultants (Jared Pratt)
Civil Engineer: Adobe Associates (Tim Schram) 
Septic Engineer: Adobe Associates (Greg Schram)
General Contractor: Nordby Signature 

photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte

Materials used:
Homes Lighting designer: Tucci Lighting
Structural / architectural concrete: Partners Contracting , Inc. 
Wood doors and hardware: Curtis & Sons Door, Inc., Quantum Windows and Doors 
Fixed glazing: B&L Glass 
Cabinetry: Mueller Nicholls Builders 
Plumbing fixtures: Premier Bath and Kitchen 
Electrical fixtures: Tucci Lighting Design 
Bathroom accessories: Doug Mockett and Company, Inc.
Exterior structure and framing: boardformed reinforced concrete columns and beams, concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls covered in solid western red cedar
Exterior wall treatment:  solid western red cedar 
Interior walls: solid douglas fir paneling, painted gypsum board 
Interior ceilings: solid douglas fir paneling, painted gypsum board 
 Floors: smooth troweled concrete topping slab over concrete structural slab (downstairs); douglas fir flooring (upstairs) 
Bathrooms: honed limestone, ASN stone 
 Lighting: track lighting – lucifer; recessed downlights: intense; indirect wall sconce – creon Decorative light fixtures (dining / double height space, over kitchen island, wooden wall sconces) by the office of Charles de Lisle 
Plumbing fixtures: GRAFF M-Series, Chrome. Antonio Lupi Dafne Tub, Duravit WCs, Nameeks sinks Kitchen appliances: Wolf, Miele, SubZero 
Windows and glazed doors: Quantum Windows & Doors (aluminum clad, solid core douglas fir wood doors) 
Door hardware, Deltana Omnia.  Linnea Pocket Door Hardware
Fixed Glazing – Site-glazed 
Roofing: Sika SarnaFil PVC roof membrane with gravel overlay 
Guardrails: welded wire mesh 
Eaves: clad in matte fibre cement panels 
Cabinetwork: custom planked douglas fir cabinetry, lyed and sealed with clear matte sealer
Kitchen counters: Caesarstone Sleek Concrete  
Structural system: concrete slab on grade, with concrete posts and beams and concrete masonry unit (CMU) infill walls

photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte
photo_credit Bruce Damonte
Bruce Damonte

Read story in DeutschItalianoPortuguêsFrançais and Español

Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert
18 Mar 2024 News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert

Mumbai-based Sanjay Puri Architects has completed the Nokha Village Community Centre, an architectur... More

Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024
15 Mar 2024 News
Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024

In this Archello series, we look at each of the seven nominated projects (five architecture finalist... More

25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers
15 Mar 2024 Specification
25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers

Mosaic wall tiles are produced in an enormous range of colors, shapes and finishes, and from a varie... More

Introducing Partner Motion Facades
15 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Motion Facades

Motion Facades specializes in supplying advanced facade systems for luxury real estate projects. Its... More

Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel
15 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel

Architects Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores have been an... More

JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements
14 Mar 2024 News
JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements

International architectural firm JSWD has completed the Neuer Kanzlerplatz office complex in the cit... More

Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'
14 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'

Today Archello introduces a new set of Firm Awards categories to widen the scope of the Archello Awa... More

Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes
13 Mar 2024 News
Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes

London-based multidisciplinary architecture and design practice Studio Egret West has developed plan... More