Architect: Craig Steely Structure
Location: Cupertino, California
Images: Darren Bradley
The home floats within the cover of a dense Oak grove within the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains simply west of Silicon Valley.
The conceptual concept got here clearly and rapidly—float a glass field within the leaves of the bushes on two trunk-like columns, disrupting as few oaks as potential.
The dense tree cover gives the chance to construct a very glass walled home, protected against the direct rays of the solar, but stuffed with dappled daylight. The steepness of the positioning directs the entry to the residing degree from above via a grass-covered roof, like an open meadow sitting within the tops of the bushes.
A bridge of metal grating connects grade and the rooftop of native grasses. An commentary deck sits within the grass subject together with a storage/lobby of zinc panels and mirror glass. Daylight funnels down via the lobby into the residing degree.
The principle residing space is cantilevered into the tree cover whereas bedrooms, bogs, service and storage are positioned behind an extended wall of cabinetry alongside the hillside. Distinct areas (the lounge, the workplace, and the kitchen) are delineated spatially within the open plan by sinking them into the concrete flooring.
These areas are additional delineated by materials. Within the sunken workplace, all surfaces—flooring, desk, cabinetry— are milled from a single slab of Chinese language pistachio. The sunken lounge is stuffed with 144 sq. ft. of B&B Italia’s “Tufty time” couch parts.
Within the kitchen/eating room a 22 ft. lengthy counter of white composite quartz continues the kitchen work floor into the eating desk. Within the ceiling, flush mounted LED strips suggest these zones. Sturdy geometric traces of sunshine, paying homage to a Dan Flavin sculpture, are clearly seen from the skin wanting up via the leaves.
The home sits on the boundary between suburb and wilderness and straddles the 2 prefer it sits on the positioning. Simply as they did earlier than development, Mule deer relaxation within the shade of the cantilever which is now a continuation of the oak cover.
Grey squirrels run alongside the branches and wild turkeys roost within the treetops, merely 10 ft. away from the kitchen desk. The expanse of glass feels permeable and disappears solely to go away nature because it at all times has been within the grove.