This rare property within walking distance through the forest to town elicited a design that celebrated views of the foothills while delicately nestled into the canopies of live oaks, madrones, and cedars of centuries old. The owners asked us to design a whimsical blending into the rusty red madrones and the green and gold leaves of the changing seasons. An existing detached barn with studio space was transformed into a home office and garage. Our inspiration was to express the “separateness” of the structure and ultimately generated a design opportunity to express a meandering path through the home with brightly daylit connecting sections that segmented the home into unique experiences. The main floating open stair case is highlighted by skylights that bring a natural daylit experience in the middle of the home to the basement. It is the intention of this design to utilize natural convective cooling from the basement through the upper floors during the summer. Maintaining the spirit of connection to the outdoors we implemented window sills low to the floor as well as window walls that open entire rooms to the exterior.

Featured in Southern Oregon Magazine, October 2014

Contractor: The Downey Company
Landscape Architect: KenCairn Landscape Architecture
Interior Design: Maggie Javna