Walker Warner Architects has designed this agrarian countryside home that takes its inspiration from its surroundings in the equestrian community of Woodside, California. The organizing concept for this project began as an exploration of separate buildings arranged to create a variety of complementary indoor and outdoor living experiences.
Given the rural context of the town of Woodside, regional agrarian compounds and iconic forms were referenced for inspiration, as well as functionality.
The home’s form is a compilation of three primary buildings—the main house, an office, and a barn—arranged around a central courtyard anchored by a water feature to create a variety of complementary indoor-outdoor spaces and diverse living opportunities. “It’s a contemporary interpretation of rural and traditional dwellings,” says principal architect Greg Warner.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECTURE Walker Warner Architects INTERIOR DESIGNER Shawback Design Associates BUILDER Chesler Construction | LANDSCAPE Lutsko Associates
All buildings share a common language of strong asymmetrical lines with a shared material palette of stone, Western red cedar, glass, and steel, together under a zinc roof. The use of stone evokes rusticity; rooting portions of the structures to past homesteads, while the random patterned cedar planking and zinc roofing, recall the rural vernacular of the California hay barn.
By inserting exposed steel and large expanses of glass, the home is given a contrasting, contemporary feel. The barn, positioned at the front of the property, serves as a symbolic entry, reinforcing the rural character of the surrounding context.
Above: A detail of the circular light fixture sourced from McEwen Lighting.
An open passageway leading through the barn dramatically frames the entry facade of the main residence beyond. Upon entering the courtyard, loosely formed by three structures, the balance of space and material enliven the project as a whole.
The primary residence boasts two main living spaces—adjacent living-dining areas and a kitchen abutting a family room. A master suite, three bedrooms and a study make up the second floor.
For the interiors, big, heavy furnishings took a backseat to more transparent items so as not to take away from the architecture and exteriors. Yet they were careful to keep them comfortable to allow for the full experience of both the site and the company within it.
What We Love: This agrarian countryside home offers a fabulous indoor-outdoor connection and light flooded living spaces thanks to expansive walls of glass. A material palette of wood and stone adds warmth to this farmhouse, creating inviting living spaces for family living and entertaining. The surrounding forested property provides a feeling of tranquility, while also providing the owners with plenty of privacy.
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Note: Take a look at a couple of our favorite home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of the architects of this home, Walker Warner Architects: Serene woodsy setting inspires a stylish family home in Northern California and Timeless ranch house with exquisite details in the Sierra Nevadas.
Above: The custom steel windows and doors throughout this home are from Hope’s Windows and Doors.
Above: In the kitchen, a textured limestone wall adds to the overall beauty of this space. The stainless steel is part of the oven and custom backsplash with venting hood. Lighting pendants above the island are from McEwen Lighting Studio.
Above: For the roof, the architects employed Zinc Standing Seam by VMZinc in Raleigh, NC.
Photos: Matthew Millman / This project was submitted to us courtesy of Walker Warner Architects. If you have a project you would like to share with One Kindesign, please contact us here: Submit Your Work.
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