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The Viewpointe house evolved from a site at the edge of the suburbs where it borders open space. To create a close relationship with this hilly landscape, spaces are formed by sloping volumes that follow the steep terrain as it descends. As this descent continues further into the natural landscape, the spaces inside and outside the house become increasingly connected to the outside.
At the entrance, a small front patio and the garage sit on either side of the covered overhang that establishes the path that runs along the whole building. As one enters the house, this walkway becomes the staircase that moves one downhill.
On the eastern side of the site, the only side with a direct neighbor, bedrooms and the bedroom suite balance privacy and sunlight access. By positioning the bedrooms near grade, below an existing retaining wall, they’re made into private garden rooms. Each bedroom gets filtered morning sun year-round and is screened from the neighbor by a narrow garden.
At the deepest point of the site, the central path moves into the lowest and most open volume – the living spaces. Facing downhill, to where the view reaches further and the landscape opens up, large windows and a vaulted ceiling open to the sky, trees, and the Santa Rosa Valley. Balance is created at the other end, where the kitchen connects to a private courtyard and from there to the natural space beyond.
The 300sf ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is connected physically but maintains separateness through a few methods. It has its own access walkway, is acoustically buffered because of its location, and has its own private garden patio.