This spectacular modern sanctuary, located in Palo Alto, California, was designed by Feldman Architecture for empty nesters looking to downsize and plan ahead for their retirement. The dwelling encompasses 4,289 square feet of living space and is nestled behind a large heritage oak tree whose canopy stretches across the front yard.
Passing under the sculptural branches, visitors are led through a succession of courtyards and view verdant gardens that beautifully meander around the structure. Interior spaces are paired with their own landscape movement, enabling the architecture and landscape to interconnect.
DESIGN DETAILS: INTERIORS Feldman Architecture LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Ground Studio Landscape BUILDER Baywest Builders LIGHTING Kim Cladas Lighting Design STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Strandberg Engineering CIVIL ENGINEER BKF Engineers ARBORIST Urban Tree Management GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER Romig Engineers Inc
The dwelling floats on piers to enable interaction with the trees on the property while simultaneously helping to safeguard the root areas. “The floor plate projects beyond the building envelope and dissolves into balconies to blur the sense of indoor/outdoor while at the same time lifting the building up from the ground,” states the architects.
The driveway is also composed of floating concrete structural slabs supported on piers, which helps to reduce the impact on the heritageain living area features walls of disappearing glass, creating an extension to the outdoors. Thi oak tree. The ms enables a true indoor/outdoor living experience and ample space for the owners to entertain their ever-expanding family.
Three pavilions span the depth of the property. The architects created a second-story apartment to be used as an income property. Below, board-formed concrete walls serve as organizing elements in the main residence, delineating the public spaces from private ones.
Diffused natural light floods into the interior living spaces throughout the day, highlighting the clean material palette of concrete and Alaskan yellow cedar. This dwelling was constructed as a modern house that prioritizes the landscape to speak first. The design showcases its hidden courtyards, inviting visitors to experience the same sense of wonderment that first drew the owners to this urban oasis.
What We Love: This modern sanctuary embraces the landscape surrounding it, creating a peaceful environment for its inhabitants and guests. The material palette offers simple, clean lines that do not detract from the natural beauty of the exterior. We love how courtyards help to create privacy for the living zones while also enabling large expanses of glass to soak in the views while drawing in natural light.
Tell Us: Do you think the project team did a good job designing this home so that it does little to disturb the natural landscape surrounding it? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments!
Note: Be sure to look below for the “Related” tags for more fabulous home tours from Feldman Architecture’s portfolio that we have featured here on One Kindesign.
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PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Fletcher
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