From the ground up

Steep building sites are challenging, but they often produce the most dramatic architectural solutions.

Jay Hargrave of Cottam Hargrave, the architect of this 5500sq ft house, says that in order to maximize the views, the building needed to be at the top of the site.

"This meant the underside of the house would be a prominent feature, as the driveway winds up from the road at the bottom. Consequently, the concrete foundations became an integral part of the entry sequence and the overall design, and highlight the relationship between the building and the ground."

The house comprises two volumes that cascade down the hillside, following the natural contours of the land to minimize the impact on the environment. The solid mass of the foundations is balanced by solid limestone walls that appear to slice through the roof elements.

To counter the visual weight of these masses, the house features extensive glazing, and there is a steel and glass bridge linking the main house to the freestanding bedroom and guest wing. This two-story volume arises from a cantilevered slab built on a pedestal.

The swimming pool within the main volume is also cantilevered high above the ground, 15ft out from the foundations. Hargrave says the design serves two purposes it introduces an edgy feel and it minimizes the built-up area on the land. An infinity edge on two sides of the pool enhances the contemporary look and the sense of disquiet.

The strong architectural features that characterize the house's exterior also define the interior building materials are exposed to provide a natural palette of textural contrasts.

Concrete flooring marks the entry and key circulation areas. The entrance is further highlighted by a suspended cloud ceiling, which is punctuated by deep round holes with concealed lighting.

"The geometry of the house shifts on this axis," says Hargrave. "It is both a gallery space and an organizing element the place where everything comes together. It is also part of the procession into the house that begins at the street and is not fully realized until one ascends the steps past the reflecting pool and enters the house. At this point it is possible to see through the core of the house and across the glass bridge to the bedroom wing."

The living room, to the right of the gallery, has exposed limestone walls and a wood floor. The formal dining room on the opposite side is lined with concrete, but also features a wall of rift-sawn white oak cabinets.

"Varying the wall and floor materials helps to differentiate the living and dining spaces, and breaks up the interior a little," says Hargrave.

Both the living and dining rooms also feature cloud ceilings, with illuminated cutout rectangles in the center. The architect says the lowered ceilings enhance a sense of intimacy, and on a practical level, conceal ducting and other services.

Interior designer Joy Kling of Spazio Interiors worked on the interior design in conjunction with Hargrave and the owners. She says the interior needed to respect the integrity of the architecture.

"Furnishings had to complement, not detract, from the structural elements. Everything was chosen to create a sophisticated, cohesive look, and to bring visual warmth into the house. For this reason, we specified Italian designer furniture in warm neutral colors and popped bright accents into the mix with paintings."

In rooms with concrete walls, such as the dining room, large paintings are propped on the floor, rather than hung on the wall. Kling says the owners didn't want to drill holes in the walls.

The design simplicity extends to the U-shaped kitchen, which features dark-stained white oak cabinets with granite countertops. The adjoining breakfast area is lined with natural rift-sawn white oak. White Saarinen dining furniture reinforces the simple, clean lines of the space.

The central stairwell is contained within a limestone tower, which has window openings carved from solid stone blocks. Stairs lead up to bedrooms and a media room on the second floor, and down to a barrel-vaulted wine cellar and adjacent gymnasium.

The master suite, across the glass bridge, occupies the lower level of this volume, while the top story accommodates a home office and guest suite with a full bathroom and kitchenette.

Like the living room and the glass bridge sitting area, these rooms feature glass walls that allow expansive views across the pool and outdoor living area to the view beyond.

Story by: Trendsideas