Red Hill Studio
Architects Involved:
Chris Heath, Associate Architect
Additional Team:
Steven J. Lafranchi and Associates, Civil Engineers
Kevin Zucco, ZFA Structural Engineers
Russ Morita, Morita Construction, General Contractor
Project Description
By turning a quiet face to the busy road, finding shelter from the coastal wind and establishing a level to access natural grade, the architecture looks through farmer’s eyes for materials and assembly.
A couple of retired graphic artists left their life suburbs of Palo Alto to live and learn about seasonal shifts and natural processes on their new property by planting an orchard, running sheep and building a one room house that that flexes with the needs of the day.
The program was a 760 square foot house that someday may become a second unit if a main house was built. The studio houses a two person office, a living room seating 6, an 8 person dinner party and converts into a bedroom with a murphy bed for 2 each night. Downstairs is a garage, laundry and storage.
Solution: The simple form and material palette has the effect that the structure has always been there.
With tight details and clad in corrugated metal, metal windows and a board formed concrete garage below, Red Hill Studio is formed into the hillside and nestled between oak trees. The siting allows the owners to walk level out the door to the patio and onto the grasslands.
The sensitivity to the site is the most compelling aspect of the design. No trees were lost and and the building seems to be resting on the hillside. The curved patio softens the connection to the uphill grasslands. Deserving of regard, an oak grove and a moss-covered chicken coop informed the window placement.