(Bruce Damonte, original photo on Houzz)
House Tour: Step Inside This Dazzling Box on a Rock in Sonoma County
11 September 2017
Recalling the challenges of building a new modern home on a hilltop overlooking California's Sonoma Valley, architect Neal Schwartz was reminded how he would often tell his design team, "Come on, people! It's just a box on a rock."
He says that what he meant to convey by these words of encouragement was that the house should look like a strong and simple box on a hill, even though it's really a complex design.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A San Francisco couple, who use it as a vacation home
Location: Sonoma
Size: 2,000 square feet (186 square meters)
Architect: Neal Schwartz of Schwartz and Architecture
Architect Neal Schwartz says that the house actually sits on two conceptual "rocks" — a big barren hill and a foundation secured with pier footings. He and his team started with a square design for the house, then began pushing and pulling at that shape for sun, shade and view orientations.
The house, clad in lightly stained cedar, has two wings around a central, enclosed courtyard. "The two wings angle a bit to maximize the views," Schwartz says. "Then we carved out the courtyard from the middle of the box to make the entryway, allowing you to enter through the courtyard and see the dramatic view from the get-go."
(Bruce Damonte, original photo on Houzz)
An aerial shot of house shows that the boxy roofline actually has five sides instead of four. The central courtyard basks in sunlight nearly all day long.
The courtyard can be accessed on all sides: from the living room, kitchen, master suite and front yard.
Glass walls on both sides of the living room allow for stunning views and tons of natural light. The minimalist decor, featuring white walls without any art, lets the lush natural surroundings demand all the attention.
▲(Bruce Damonte, original photo on Houzz)
The wall with shelving in the dining area (and a television in the living area) also functions as a partial room divider. The floors are wide-plank prefinished oak.
▲(Bruce Damonte, original photo on Houzz)
The dining area and kitchen are open to each other, with expansive views to the outdoors. The kitchen includes simple white-painted cabinetry and a shiny blue glass-tile backsplash to "balance out the sky," Schwartz says. Through the far door is the pantry, laundry area and a guest suite.
▲(Bruce Damonte, original photo on Houzz)
The home's three bathrooms are minimalist in style. They all feature gray tile floors, a simple glass shower and a floating cabinet of Douglas fir.
▲(Bruce Damonte, original photo on Houzz)
To provide for views and ensure ample sun and shade, Schwartz and his team used computer modeling to create a dynamic shape for the epay deck with glass railing and the overhang. "In the summer during the morning, the front deck is shaded," Schwartz says. "As the sun comes around, the courtyard is shaded. In the winter, when the sun is lower, the front deck is more sunny and allows light into the house. There should always be a place to go for sun and shade any time of day or year."
Schwartz and his team utilized a simple form to amplify the dramatic site and create an expansive home that lives larger than its footprint.
▲This article was written by Camille LeFevre for Houzz.
You might also like:
Beautiful Mosaics for a Splash of Color
Related Articles