The project began as the renovation of a 1954 ranch at the foot of a hill. The structure and the land turned out to be unsuitable, so the management of the project changed and decided to rebuild the house almost entirely from scratch. The only surviving part of the original structure is the chimney, which was covered with concrete and used for structural support
Sustainable villa made of corten, glass and wood. A home to live in contact with the rhythms of nature
The clients who commissioned the project are a couple of environmental scientists who, together with their two children, moved from the Oakland Hills to the summer climate of Orinda. A new sustainable home was constructed from the ruins of the old structure, giving its occupants the opportunity to live in close contact with nature
The entrance to the 3,725 square metre house is to the north, where a covered walkway made of sheet steel leads to the front door. Inside, the large windows provide visual continuity with the landscape. A 3.6 metre high retractable glass wall opens onto a patio and the adjacent garden
The choice of materials such as wood and corten comes from the need for zero maintenance costs and to reduce complexity in terms of details and labour costs while making it possible to reallocate a larger part of the budget to the mechanical and insulation systems
The smell of the oak and the feel of it beneath your feet creates a multi-sensory connection to the surrounding landscape and creates a relaxed and tranquil constructed environment that lets your senses focus on the natural environment
The clients placed great emphasis on sustainability: insulation and efficient glazing reduce heating and cooling loads. A heat pump heating system and an 8.1 kW photovoltaic system provide on-site renewable energy. Water is also never lost through rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling systems for irrigation
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