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Houzz Tour: A California Home Designed by Nature

Bay Area's WA Design creates a stunning hillside home inspired by its unique building site

Vanessa Brunner November 30, 2011

Houzz Contributor

Comment52

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While many homes today are designed with their surrounding atmosphere in mind, most constructions require knocking down trees or leveling out hillsides — at least to some extent. But for this woodland site in the Santa Cruz Mountains, preserving the heritage oaks and winding creek was an absolute must.

The clients hired David Wilson and his team at WA Design to build a home that was inspired by the site's complex building footprint. To preserve the dense oak canopies, Wilson and his team built the house as a series of smaller pavilions, connected by glassed-in walkways. All of these structures twist and wind through the intricate oak grove. Not only does the home preserve the integrity of the site, but multiple aspects of the design also enhance the presence of the trees and the shape of the creek into the home's exterior and interior.

WA Design Architects

Wilson used a palette of natural stones, metals, and dark woods in the kitchen. This dramatic and earthy palette is echoed throughout the house. The kitchen countertops are made of soapstone, and the cabinetry is custom made from sapele, an African tree reminiscent of mahogany. Wilson and his team installed a drop bronze soffit on the ceiling. Lighting and skylights make the metal glow throughout the day and night.

The dark blue curved wall to the left was designed to separate the entry hall from the rest of the space. Wilson allowed the curve to extend into the floor, allowing it to continue separating the two spaces.

WA Design Architects

This structure is one of five pavilions on the property — guest and pool house, kitchen and family room, living and dining room, and bedroom area. Each of these vaulted-roof structures are connected through various flat roof volumes. This particular pavilion contains the family room and the kitchen. The pool is visible just outside of the family room's sliding glass doors, beyond a series of dramatic custom lighting — a bold contrast with the warm bronze soffit.

WA Design Architects

A living room and dining area are combined in another connected pavilion. An artistic chandelier hangs over a natural cut wood table. A small living room with a stone fireplace sits just around the corner.

WA Design Architects

A small wine cellar lies just beyond the edge of the dining table. Another curved bronze soffit hangs from this pavilion's ceiling. The curved shape and shaded effect is meant to echo the oak canopies outside. The bronze reflects the exterior gardens during the day and adds a warm glow at night.

WA Design Architects

The master bedroom is located in the upstairs of another pavilion. Large custom wood windows give the room a treehouse feel. Wilson and his team wanted the home to combine a complex palette of materials and details, which is evident in the blend of the bronze fireplace, white walls, and wood windows in this room.

WA Design Architects

The master bathroom continues the theme of dramatic curved forms in the home's interior. This dark oval shape houses the closet for the master suite.

WA Design Architects

WA Design also created a unique freestanding staircase with glass treads, which sits inside the center of the home's main pavilion. "We wanted to incorporate fluidity into as many elements of this home as possible," says Wilson. "These clients were very engaged and really pushed us out of my comfort zone, which resulted in many unique elements."

WA Design Architects

White cement panel siding was chosen as a bright contrast to the deep shade under the dense oak canopy. Zinc standing-seam roofing was installed on each of the pavilion's curved roofs. "This home is very contemporary," says Wilson, "But we also incorporated elegant and refined detailing throughout the design."

WA Design Architects

The pool, pool house, and patio are all situated on a slight slope. A set of stairs from the pool level flows down the slope and hits the grass playing field. Multiple courtyards and outdoor spaces connect the home's pavilions with the landscape. One of the glass walkways connecting the kitchen pavilion and the dining pavilion is visible in this shot. Together, the home's five pavilions offer 7,000 square feet of living space.

WA Design Architects

Wilson and his team at WA Design also designed the landscaping on this site. The main goal was to create a low-maintenance look using as many native Californian plants as possible. In the end, the design evolved as a combination of many different grass types, which echoed the feel of the hillside site prior to construction.

WA Design Architects

The grassy field from the prior shot is bordered by a curving granite walkway that mimics the edge of the creek bed. This stunning sculpture patio lies at the end of the path. Wilson designed this sculpture himself, lining up steel rods to echo the shape of the creek. Since the creek isn't really visible from most of the property, Wilson and his team really wanted to enhance its presence through the home's landscape.

WA Design Architects

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spalover

Stunning and warm with the use of wood and fire. The green vistas feel luxurious and earthy. I love it and am extremely impressed with the creative imagination and thoughtfulness to detail. I can easily envision my kids and dogs living here. This has a grand vision, if someone wants small and cozy...they will build a cottage.

2 Likes December 14, 2011 at 11:16AM