California

On a steep 25-acre site near Sonoma, California, two scientists harvest some of the bounty from their vegetable gardens, olive trees, and beehives to deliver to a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco. Although these locavores were already living in an existing house on the property, they became enamored of a writer's cottage designed by Cooper Joseph Studio in Ghent, New York, and wanted a similar small house for a weekend retreat/office.

'From early on the concept was to nestle the house on the top of the hill in a way that the rooms spill down, to maximize the view,' says Chris Cooper, firm partner. The resulting three-story, 890-square-foot house made of poured-in-place concrete is organized around a central wall, which divides public and private spaces. A bedroom and bath are on the entry level. The lower level contains a living room, and a kitchen perches above it on the mezzanine. 'From the interior, it's really all about the exterior,' says Cooper.

Design Architect:
Cooper Joseph Studio
500 Park Ave, 16e
New York, NY  10022
T.212.935.3392
F.212.935.3731

People

Client: Charles Homcy / Diana Sylvestre

Completion Date: August 2010

Gross square footage: 890 sq. ft.

Total construction cost: Witheld at request of owner

Design Architect
Cooper Joseph Studio
500 Park Ave, 16e
New York, NY  10022
T.212.935.3392
F.212.935.3731

Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit:
Wendy Evans Joseph, FAIA and Chris Cooper, AIA – Partners in Charge
Chris Good – Project Manager
Farzana Gandhi
Michael Walch

Associate architect(s):
Richardson Architects
Mill Valley, CA

Engineer(s):
Tysinger & Associates Structural Engineers
Novato, CA

Consultant(s):
Landscape:
Jacobsen Landscaping
Cloverdale, CA

Civil Engineer:
C S W|S T 2
Novato, CA

General contractor:
RedHorse Constructors
San Rafael, CA

Photographer(s):
Elliott Kaufman Photography
T.212.496.0860

 

 

Products

Structural system
Steel Frame
(1) Exposed Cast in place Concrete Bearing Wall
Wood Stud Infill

Exterior cladding
Metal Panels:
VM Zinc Rainscreen Panels

Wood:
Painted Redwood Siding and Exterior Screens

Roofing
Other:
Duro-Last PVC Roofing Membrane

Windows
Custom Painted Steel and Glass

Glazing
Glass:
Viracon Glazing

Skylights:
Custom Aluminum
B&L Glass
Santa Rosa, CA

Doors
Entrances:
Front Entrance Custom Painted Wood Door.  Recessed into Conc. Wall When Open.

Other Exterior Doors = Custom Aluminum & Glass
B&L Glass
Santa Rosa, CA

Interior finishes
Cabinetwork and custom woodwork:
Custom Stained Oak Cabinets And Paneling W/ Sanded Acrylic Inlay

Floor and wall tile:
French Blue Limestone (Floor Throughout & Bathroom Walls)

Special interior finishes unique to this project:
Countertop – “Caesarstone”  Quartz Stone Surface
Exterior Decking – “Timbertech” Composite Decking
Bathroom Backsplashes – “3-Form Chroma” Acrylic Backsplash

Furnishings
Sofa:
Custom Sofa
Manufactured By:  Angelique Interiors,  Sausalito, Ca

Chairs:
Moroso – “Bloomy Swivel Armchair”

Coffee Tables:
Custom Coffee Table -  “3-Form Chroma” Tabletop W/ Stainless Base
Manufactured By: Abramczyk Studio, New York, Ny

Lighting
Interior ambient lighting:
Usa Illumination

Energy
Photovoltaic system:
Powered By Nearby Solar Array Attop Of “Honey Hut” (Working Hut For Owner’s Bee Keeping)  Designed By Cooperjoseph Studio

Sunpower Pv Panels
(70) Panels
Produces 21,578 Annual kWh

Enough to power all structures on the site (Main House, Guest House, Honey Hut.) as well as an electric ATV.  Returns an average $400.00 / month credit from Power Company (PG&E.)