Cloverdale Residence
The site is a vineyard located above Cloverdale on a steep south slope overlooking the valley below. Stands of mature oaks and rock outcroppings frame the existing pool and house site. A 1970’s kit home log cabin with few connections to the land or views occupied the ideal location above the pool. Our strategy was to utilize all of the existing site improvements and reuse the wood from the existing kit log structure to build a new 2150 square foot house that would open out to the land and take advantage of the expansive views and south facing exposure.
The house is organized into two parallel bars that respond to the different north facing uphill and south facing downhill site conditions. The uphill bar edges the existing vineyard road and frames the formal entry to the house. The living roof ties the northern volume to the grassy hill above and shelters the support spaces of the house. The taller roof of the south facing bar slopes down with the hillside towards the south, sheltering the house from direct sunlight while allowing views to the valley below. A high band of north facing clerestory windows allows for soft indirect light to enter the main living spaces from above, balancing the more direct light entering the south facing windows at ground level. Operable glazing in the clerestory along with low operable openings in the southern glazing allow for cross breezes to flow through and passively cool the house. A folding glass wall between the living/dining room and the screened porch allows for flexible indoor/outdoor living and the possibility of one contiguous space beneath the large sloping roof.