Nestled within a grove of heritage oak trees, this residence integrates nature into its built form to create a dynamic haven that enriches the senses. The existing trees inspired the siting of the home, which provides framed views of the surrounding landscape through expansive windows and skylights.
From the exterior, the home’s form is a canvas for the play of light and shadow. The poured-in-place concrete walls that anchor the façade sponsor a bas-relief inspired by the surrounding flora, adding movement to the structural elements. The two story solar screen at the main stair allows dappled light to enter the space. Large glazed openings and material continuity blur the lines between interior and exterior. A koi pond at the main living level slips under a glass bridge within the main living area, allowing views of the fish from within the atrium living space and further connecting the inhabitants to the natural setting. Throughout, the intentional engagement of all of the senses serves to connect the inhabitants to their site.
The client’s goal was to create a home for their growing and extended family that would engage and integrate with its natural setting. While enamored with the grove of large heritage oaks on the site, the client originally felt that the site lacked vertical interest due to its flatness. The design strategy addressed this concern by intentionally creating vertical movement within the residence and its surrounds that engages the land and the trees, sculpting the land to allow for a variety of experiences of the site. Throughout the home, at every level, the family engages with the surrounding landscape in a meaningful way.
The design of this highly sculpted home engages its site fully, allowing its occupants to feel a connection to nature throughout. Framed views to the heritage trees in tandem with interior-exterior spaces that connect to the landscape create moments for the occupants to have a sense of place, whether witnessing the ever-changing play of light and shadows or listening to the meditative sounds of the water feature that terraces down to the lower level. Through this intentional engagement of all of the senses, the home aims to inspire the family’s children physically, psychologically, and creatively throughout their childhood and beyond.
Category: Private HomesYear:2023Location:Atherton, California, USAArchitects:Aidlin Darling DesignLead Architect: Joshua AidlinAssociate Architects:Surfacedesign Inc.Design Team: Michael Pierry, Laing Chung, Jeff LaBoskey, Charlie Stott, Andrew Morrell, and Baptiste BogetInterior Design:Studio Collins WeirGeneral Contractor:Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders, Inc.Client: Private Photographer: Adam Rouse Photography
