This building takes meticulous measures to be in harmony with its environment. It does so through its structure, material, and function. This was accomplished balancing the clients’ wishes, tiny budget (under $190 per square foot) and the sites surroundings to shape the design.

The first challenge was to frame three opposing views while preserving each existing oak tree on site. Often, trees are removed to clear room for the views. In this case, the oaks were very old and precious to the clients. The views were important because they were the main draw to the property. Three locally known land formations can be seen from the site; “Eagle Rock”, a mountain ridge, and the valley of vineyards below.

To deal with the opposing views, we designed the building as three intersecting rectangular tubes. The tubes extend like fingers in between the existing trees, oriented toward each land formation. As a conventional poured foundation would sever the existing tree roots, killing the oaks, an arborist and surveyor helped us locate precise points in between the roots to anchor piers to the bedrock. The house was then constructed on stilts that sleeved into the drilled concrete piers.

At the intersection of the 3 views, we located an area in-between the roots where a tiny foundation could be poured, which stabilized the structure and was the one place where the building touched the ground. We took the opportunity of having this small concrete foundation to construct a stair that allowed people to enter the building, and imbedded a communal tub with views to the vineyards below.

To cut cost as well as meet the sustainability goals of the clients, the building was dimensioned using standard sized, off the shelf sheet-goods (unfinished plywood and OSB) to minimize waste, and the interior was clad in those same sheet-goods.

We clad the building in unfinished raw steel that changes color in the sun and takes on a life of its own due to naturally occurring “oil canning”. It creates a stunning backdrop for shadows cast onto it by the surrounding trees; creating a dramatic interplay between the façade and the shadows.

Material Used:
Facade cladding: Rezibond Rustwall by Western Metal Deck
Flooring: OSB
Windows: All Weather Architectural Aluminum, Vacaville, CA
Interior lighting: Standard Fluorescent lighting
Interior furniture: Ikea cabinets with custom plywood faces
Add more if available Morso EAP II Stove