Located in the midst of a scattered redwood forest, this northern California residence is the domestic retreat and studio for a graphic designer and his wife. The home and studio were conceived by the architects as a bridge between two distinct groves of old redwoods.

The landscape strategy was prefaced by a landslide in front of the house where a steep slope ends abruptly in the neighbor’s adjacent property. A river of native grass was designed to extend the sense of the landscape to both sides of the house, reinforce the notion of the house as a bridge, address the technical needs of a compromised slope, and reduce the level of landscape irrigation and maintenance over time. The overall effect of the grassy course across the property is one of simplicity and support for the outstanding natural features of the existing site. Corten steel, timber poles, and boulders unearthed during the landslide were used in paths that connect the pool house and studio to the main building.

 

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CREDITS:

CLIENT:                       HOMEOWNERS

ARCHITECT:               TURNBULL GRIFFIN & HAESLOOP ARCHITECTS

YEAR COMPLETED:  2008