Healdsburg Knoll / info >

Located in a remote area of Sonoma County, the house is sited on a knoll surrounded by sloping land including steep canyons and oak meadows below. We wanted to preserve the legibility of the landform on this topographically special site.

The owners requested that the design of the new compound incorporate their desire to live outdoors as much as indoors and to create a sense of procession up and over the knoll, allowing for spaces and vistas to unfold. We separated the program pieces, siting the guest house upon the knoll with a long porch and oculus marking the entry into a sequence of outdoor living areas framed by the indoor living areas.

As the project was just beginning construction, a wildfire burned through the site destroying majestic oak trees and pine forests. Construction resumed but the building envelope and surrounding landscape were modified to fire-harden the structures including the use of Corten panels for siding. Fuel load studies guided surrounding landscape design and additional water storage tanks were added to ensure that this magical spot can be enjoyed for years to come.