Trestle Residence

Nestled on a hillside in Northern California, this private residence and
guesthouse negotiate its complex undulating site with great sensitivity and
earnestness. Structures are arranged to exploit the site’s diversity of
views, foliage, and topography.
The design embodies the agrarian character of an active farm, reflecting
the sensibility and ethos of its owners. Approached through a winding
shaded drive, the home presents itself modestly amongst heritage oaks
and a steep wooded hillside. Structures are composed of local fieldstone,
concrete, and steel, enabling a reciprocal relationship to the natural terrain
and working farm. The home is composed of a series of indoor and
covered outdoor spaces, each with a distinct relationship to the
surrounding landscape. Negotiating the topographic complexity of the site,
each wing is afforded unique views and diurnal rhythms. With dramatic
valley views to the north and a sunny courtyard to the south, the home
provides for an active outdoor lifestyle.
The home’s arrangement enables passive ventilation through expansive
openings and stack effect through a long clerestory. Solar energy is
harnessed by way of a solar PV system and a hydronic system for pool
and domestic water heating. A large-scale water collection system
provides water for agricultural irrigation, fire mitigation, and domestic use.