This intriguing contemporary dwelling has been designed by Schwartz and Architecture, located in Nicasio, a contiguous area of unincorporated land in Marin County, California. From the architects: “Crook | Cup | Bow | Twist (categories of lumber deformation) refer to the latent potential energy of all natural systems towards movement.”

The proposal first analyzes the site as a series of existing flows or “routes” across the landscape. The negotiation of both constructed and natural systems establishes the logic of the site plan and the orientation and organization of the new home. Conceptually, the project becomes a highly choreographed knot at the center of these routes, drawing strands in, engaging them with others, and propelling them back out again.

The project’s intent is to capture and harness the physical and ephemeral sense of these latent natural movements as a way to promote in the architecture the wanderlust the surrounding landscape inspires. At heart, the client’s initial family agenda–a home as antidote to the city and basecamp for exploration–establishes the ethos and design objectives of the work.

Photos: Bruce Damonte