Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026

Happy Valley Residence

Happy Valley Residence
Russell Abraham

Happy Valley Residence

The site for this new 10,800 square foot home is a prized 2.3 acre level parcel, bordered by a year-round creek in Lafayette, California. A key design strategy involved re-using the footprint of a pre-existing home as the basis of the design – in order to preserve the beautiful mature landscaping that surrounds the home on all sides. The result is a home that had a timeless quality the day it was completed, perfectly knitted to its beautiful site. The plan is a simple “H” shape with an entry courtyard on the north side and a large covered lanai on the south side. The kitchen and family areas are on the east side of the “H” and the home office and guest suite are on the opposite side, with a grand 2-story great room in the center – opening directly to both courtyard spaces. On the second floor, the children’s wing is above the kitchen and family room, while the master suite is located above the home office and guest suite, with both wings connected by a beautiful bridge that overlooks the great room. Materials are warm and natural, including Western Red Cedar for siding, some interior walls and ceilings, and travertine walls, flooring and terraces. Windows and doors were custom made of Douglas Fir, stained to match the cedar siding.

photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham
photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham
photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham
photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham

Team:

Architects: Swatt | Miers Architects

Contractor: W.B. Wlmer & Co.

Landscape Architecture: Huettl

Structural Engineer: Yu Stranberg Engineering

Mechanical Engineering: Monterey Energy Group 

Photographer: Russell Abraham

photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham
photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham
photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham
photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham

Materials Used:

Quantum Window

Henry built Kitchen / Closet system

Gaggenau/Miele Appliances

Minotti furnitures

Poliforms furnitures, HR furnitures

DWR furnitures

BluDot furniture

Minted Wallpaper

Livette's Wallpaper

photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham
photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham
photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham
photo_credit Russell Abraham
Russell Abraham

Project credits

Architects
Landscape Architects
Photographers

Product spec sheet

Interior Furniture
Interior Furniture
Appliances
Kitchen & Closet System
Interior Furniture
Wallpaper

Project data

Project Year
2022
Building Area
10800 sq ft
Share or Add Happy Valley Residence to your Collections