Building Into the Hillside

This new accessory dwelling is sited along a woodland path that leads from the larger main home to a favorite upland swimming spring on this 200-acre property in unincorporated Healdsburg,  located deep in the  Sonoma Valley foothills of Mount Jackson.  The efficient open plan is split-level and partially buried into the sloping site allowing the private” Bedroom Block” to be elevated from the open “Living Porch” which extends outwards into the patio garden beyond the tall glazed surfaces extending the interior space under a wide cantilevered folded roof embracing the larger landscape and abundant open space.

En-Folded towards the Light

The butterfly-roof form allows views to the sun-speckled uphill meadows and also downhill towards the high mountain ridged horizon beyond the creek,  where meadows cascade towards the road below,  over orchards and gardens that serve the home. The Metal Roofs form an open shell that descends to enclose the rear forest-facing bedroom wing of the house while opening like wings to reveal the interior soft wood soffits that extend the interior ceilings outwards into the landscape.

Exterior Connected Living 

The exterior finishes travel inside just as those within travel outwards –  and there is a breezy openness to the home that allows the family to live “outside”  within the cozy, warmly textured interior. The bench-low walls extend the indoor kitchen outwards to an exterior kitchen and second living room focused on wide wood benches and a protected fire pit that catches the last rays of the setting sun each day.

A Water’s Tale

The Solar paneled roof also collects and concentrates water towards the patio garden and herb beds that line the entry path beside the sunny orchards.  A small corten steel channel bisects the patio social space becoming a vertical water feature with every storm while channeling water to the south where the gardens surround the sitting areas, pathways, and gathering spaces.

 

 

• Landscape
• Residential