The Trestle residence is thoughtfully designed to harmonize with its undulating hillside site, embracing the natural topography, diverse views, and surrounding foliage. Reflecting the agrarian ethos of the owners and the active farm, the home integrates modestly among heritage oaks and wooded terrain, accessed via a winding, shaded drive. Constructed with local fieldstone, concrete, and steel, the residence establishes a reciprocal relationship with the land and farming context.
Comprising a series of indoor and covered outdoor spaces, each wing of the home responds uniquely to the topography, maximizing natural light, views, and daily environmental rhythms. The design supports the owners’ commitment to ecological sensitivity and agriculture, building upon existing farm infrastructure while optimizing defensible space for wildfire protection and sheltering against wind. Produce harvested year-round passes through a central courtyard into wet storage before reaching dry storage or the kitchen, facilitating efficient farm-to-table living.
Durable materials that age gracefully with minimal maintenance are employed throughout, ensuring longevity. Designed with wildfire resilience in mind, the home occupies former building pads to reduce landscape disturbance and complies with fire-safe building standards. It features an external sprinkler system, drought-tolerant landscaping, and a large-scale water collection system supplying irrigation, fire mitigation, and domestic needs.
Thermal mass from stone and concrete moderates heat, while high-performance glazing enhances daylighting and indoor air quality. Operable windows connect living spaces to exterior decks, enabling passive cooling. Mechanical cooling, powered by rooftop solar panels, is used only during extreme heat or poor air quality, combining sustainability with comfort and resilience.
Category:Private HomesYear:2022Location:Napa Valley, California, USAArchitects:Aidlin Darling Design Lead Architect: David DarlingLandscape Architects:Lutsko AssociatesDesign Team: Cherie Lau, Michael Pierry, Peter Larsen, Adam Rouse, Chip Hubert, Min Choe, Sarah Kia, Tory Wolcott, and Baptiste BogetInterior Design: Donald MacDonald Interior DesignGeneral Contractor:Eames Construction Inc.Client: PrivatePhotographer: Adam Rouse Photography
