Project Description
The client’s desire to capture the views yet maintain privacy from the street presented a critical basis for the design process. The challenges were primarily the corner site and its accompanying road noises, and nighttime traffic headlights.
The opportunities were the spectacular views and the desire of the clients to build an embracing structure that would provide privacy, openness, and feature the views.
The gentle curvature of the roof captures the spectacular views, minimizes east and west exposure and affords height in the living and dining areas and an intimate scale in the kitchen and master bedroom.
The curvilinear grammar of the plan derives from a philosophical affinity of the clients, expressed to the architect from childhood memories. Accordingly, many walls are curved, similar to the encircling arms of a protective parent. An 18-foot fireplace delineates the living room from the master bedroom and extends from the inside of the house to the outside—creating a visual connection to nature. Over the fireplace, fixed glass keeps the sounds of the two rooms separate while creating an almost invisible connection.
The entire back of the house is a continuous room with solid glass affording uninterrupted views of red cliffs, sage, and black lava rock. Very little of the street elevations are visible to passersby.
Specific colors and textures, framed views of the natural surroundings, combined with the compositional interplay of light and horizon, fulfills the character of living space sought by the clients.