Trellis House

Company:
Nick Noyes Architecture
2325 Third Street #341
San Francisco, California 94107
(415) 512-9234
https://nnarchitecture.com
Contact:
Michael Perkins
Business Phone: (206) 619-9881

Project Location: Geyserville CA
Completion Date: 06/04/2023
Owner: Doug Cogen

Additional Team:
Meez Perkins - Senior Associate - Nick Noyes Architeccture

Contractor - Tim Agapoff Construction
Interior Designer - Elizabeth Rose Jackson Interiors
Landscape Design - Alexis Woods
Structural Engineer - Dave Duncan Engineering

Project Description

The coastal warm Sonoma climate provided inspiration for this single family residence which led to its site orientation, expansive glazing, natural materials and the union between indoors and out. Located on a 14 acre site in Geyserville CA, Trellis House acts as a central hub for accessory site activities – resting, hiking, camping, yard to table gardening, fishing and swimming. The composition is oriented to take advantage of broad vistas over the Alexander Valley and varied solar exposures that the site afforded.

Perched atop a knoll, Trellis House features a compact layout composed of three gabled volumes and a trellis that mediates between the two main volumes of the house. An open plan Living Wing celebrates the Sonoma climate with full height sliding glass doors that open onto the north and south decks expanding the square footage of the public space. The third volume contains two Guest bedrooms nestled gently below the Living Wing defining a casual central outdoor lounge.

Building for wildfire resiliency and sourcing materials locally were project goals. The elements which give the building its exterior texture are shaped by the materials resilience to wildfire including a corrugated metal roof, steel rafters supporting over scaled overhangs, exposed steel eaves, class “A” composite siding and a central steel trellis. Locally sourced salvaged coastal cypress plays a major roll in the material palette of the house. Cypress was sourced, weathered outside for 12 months and milled within 75 miles of the site. 

Other elements of the material palette are, aluminum windows, painted cabinetry and paneling, Tadelakt shower plaster, Zellige tile, blackened steel details and board formed concrete.  

Exacting craft and a sense of material richness are evident throughout the residence and the landscape design. Maintained heritage oaks and drought tolerant native meadows pair with a considered landscape design creating a defensible space that promotes the native ecosystem. These strategies allow the home to operate in concert with the environmental cycles of the region, while providing comfort, refuge, and shelter for its occupants.

Design Challenge

Our goal was to create a project that addresses sustainability by reducing conditioned space, sourcing local woods, and designing an integrated solar/battery system that produces more power than Trellis House uses. The large decks to the north and south expand the entertaining footprint while simultaneously allowing us to reduce conditioned space. This reduction in conditioned space reduces cooling loads in the summer and heating loads in the winter. We sourced and milled the interior wood siding and exterior decks within 100 miles of the project. The cypress logs were salvaged from the Presidio and milled in West Marin at Arborica. The PV array provides more power than Trellis House needs, and the battery backup uses the stored power thoughtfully. Trellis House is designed to remain fully operational during California’s summer blackouts. Alongside active systems, passive systems such as 4-foot overhangs, operable windows, and a carefully sited footprint help conserve energy.

Physical Context

Trellis House, part of the community-focused Vineyard Club in Geyserville, CA, is a single-family home inspired by Sonoma’s coastal climate. During the design process, community members reviewed the plans, leading to key changes, such as replacing the original roof with a matte, non-reflective option. To promote sustainability, the project avoided using ipe decking, opting instead for salvaged cypress, minimizing environmental impact and deforestation. The house features three gabled volumes connected by a central steel trellis, with an open-plan Living Wing that extends outdoors through full-height sliding glass doors. The landscape, designed to complement the surrounding oak woodlands, preserves existing specimen oaks while adding native trees, shrubs, and grasses. These low-water, drought-tolerant plants, including Westringia, Salvia, and Grevillea, enhance fire resiliency in this fire-prone region. Fire-resistant materials such as a corrugated metal roof, steel rafters, and Class "A" composite siding were used to further protect the home. A wildfire buffer zone adjacent to the residence enhances safety for both the property and the greater Vineyard Club community. With its efficient layout, expansive views of Alexander Valley, and integration of natural and durable materials, Trellis House seamlessly merges comfort, sustainability, and environmental resilience.