Shared Tiny Homes
The family wanted two “tiny” super-space efficient houses connected by a shared shade trellis roof that spans between the two structures. One structure would have the communal kitchen and interior dining while the other the shared living room – which both face inward toward the shaded vine-screened “Porch” allowing the interiors to expand between the units – to create a large exterior open program space.
A Grounded Perch
The guest house and primary dwelling are designed to be closely connected to the steeply sloping landscape with its north side porch at grade with the upslope patio; while its river-facing edge to the south looks into the riparian tree canopy. From this elevated cantilever, over the drive below, the west deck descends as a cascading porch; half sculpture half-giant furnishing it conceals the lower carport entry under the westernmost structure.
A Gathering Form
On the uphill side, the ground forms a naturally protected valley between the orchard slopes above, and the dwelling. Here the fire pit and outdoor cooking bench retain the hill edge and provide a social center for the home with room to play and gather – passing through the shady porch which looks out over the seasonally fluctuating riverway below.
Folded Canopy
The roof is flexed and folded to look out upwards on both sides. Looking over the river’s southern high opposite ridge on one side and deflecting up toward the open hillside views to the east where hardwoods and meadows provide space for sunnier activities, like gardening, and games in the newly planted orchards and oak stands that will grow to meander up the southern facing slopes.
A Stone to Fire
The home is fireproof. With a Metal Roof and Clad in strips of fiber-cement board & bat that open and spread to become trellised vine supports for grape-vines the home is a perfect Sonoma Valley host for grapes to spread up and over between – like a filigree of stone this pale lacework of mineral screens glass from sun, forms guardrails, roof soffits and protects walls while integrating its permanent and maintenance-free fingers into the landscape to blend with the greenery that surrounds it.
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