Site opportunities and constraints of this hillside property, along with the need for a flexible floor plan, serve as the primary design generators for this 2250 square foot home for a young family whose programmatic needs are sure to change over time.
The key constraint was a view easement established when the original parcel was subdivided into three.
The easement sweeps obliquely across the site leaving a triangular area upon which to build. Access to the uphill flag lot is along a shared drive with its own dimensional requirements to be met in order to create a drive court with adequate maneuverability. The rear property line setback (non parallel to the front) further impacted available area on which to build rectilinear forms best suited to a limited budget.
With the constraints in mind, the project was conceived to highlight the opportunities presented by the site. A mature grove of fir trees at the furthest and highest point of the site could provide privacy from the adjacent uphill residence and could serve as the backdrop to the house. The buildable area had a clear sweet spot – the obvious elevation from which the views from the house to the City of Sebastopol and the mountains beyond would be at their fullest and most dramatic.
Arriving guests park just ahead of the stairs that begin the playful switchback to the main entry. Upon approach the house presents its most public face - the entry vestibule and two story living room window wall.
Shed roofs and the offset of similar forms modulate the massing. Standard sized cementitious panels are shifted one layer to the next as is the irregular batten pattern so as to moderate the scale of the tall walls and emulate the rhythm and array of the grove behind the house. The choice of a monochromatic palette puts the emphasis on texture and pattern and depth as the sun moves around the house.
A segment of the single level west wall reaches out from the landing to mark “arrival”. It turns to become an overhead ‘flying” parapet wall that penetrates the house and continues as the parapet wall that separates the second level loft from the two story living space and matches the separation between door head and upper level window sill at the deck wall. The Owners claimed the dramatic loft space as their own for their master bedroom.
A straight circulation path, running from the entry past the living and dining rooms to the stairway, separates and links the flexible spaces. With the pull of a pocket door, the main level bedroom can become an en-suite guest room. The dining room, with cross views to the north deck and south patio can be screened off as a playroom while kids are young. Upstairs, the deep landing provides an unexpected spot for reading or an office space. The family room at the second level is open to the stairwell. It separates the master bedroom from the shared kid’s room but can be modified to a fourth bedroom in the future.
The open volumes from the lower to the upper level and operable skylights allows for evacuation of warm air and the capture of cool evening breezes. Insulation and low emissivity glazing exceed Cal Green standards in order to eliminate the need for air conditioning except on the hottest days.
Material Used :
DOWNSTAIRS BATH
1. Shower head and Hand shower: Hansgrohe Raindance
2. Shower Controls: Santec
3. Faucet: Ebis
4. Vanity: Jute by Kohler
KIDS BATH
1. Shower/tub/etc trim:Brizo Odin
2. Tub: MTI Cameron 3
3. Vanity and Faucet: Ikea
MASTER BATH
1. Shower Controls: Same as guest bath
2. Feature Tile: Cle Tile in all Bathrooms
3. All Toilets are Toto EcoNexus
KITCHEN
1. Sink: Blanco Silgranit
2. Faucet: BLANCO ALTATM Compact Pull-Out with Dual Spray in the Kitchen (anthracite color)
3. Applicances: GE Monogram (Oven, Induction Cooktop and Hood)
4. Stainless Shelf: customfloatingshelves.com
5. Pendant Lighting: Copenhagen by Space Copenhagen. Sourced atwww.andtradition.com
6. Tile: DalTile
FLOORING: (except where tile)
1. 8” reclaimed oak wood from Northcal up in Ukiah, California. It was treated with Bona NordicSeal White finish and then Bona Naturale
FURNITURE
1. Living Room Sofa: Vitra
2. Living Room Coffee Tables: West Elm
3. Dining Room Table and Chairs and Kitchen stools: Carl Hansen
4. Dining Room Light: Nougouchi
