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)

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

Simplistic Shower Door Designs for the Bathroom

How to Enhance a White Kitchen