INFO
INFO
A two story entry/bedroom core, located at the transition of the grove to the open yard, visually and functionally separates the house. On the upland side, the driveway winds down to a closed NE courtyard defined by the house, retaining wall, and a low garage tucked into the hill. There is only a glimpse of the water on this approach and the true nature of the house and site is not revealed until approaching the front door. On the downhill side, the open living/dining/kitchen wing is shifted to the north end of the bedroom core, creating an open, sunny SW courtyard facing the cove and open yard. Through carefully placed glazing, all primary rooms have water views and the living room, a one-story glass box opening out onto a south-facing patio, at times feels like a porch rather than a room. The house is extremely efficient with double wall and roof insulation, geothermal heat/ac and triple glazing. A 10 kW solar array is located out of view on the high roof and a green roof helps insulate the living room roof and improves the view from the second floor. For irrigation, rain water is captured in a 3000 gallon cistern. Deep overhangs and deeply set windows help shade the glass in the summer. A minimally detailed palette of materials, including maple woodwork, white boards and plaster and exposed steel work is consistent throughout the interior. It is consciously simple and calm so it doesn’t upstage the focus of the house, the view.