Site size: 5 acres

Project size: 775 square feet

Program: Despite its location on an extremely steep and densely wooded site, the house provides an accessible second dwelling near the client’s primary residence for an aging family.

Location: Los Gatos, California

Solution: To maintain ease of access, the house incorporates the driveway and garage into a formalized entry sequence, transitioning fluidly to the front door, which is located beneath a cantilevered breezeway that frames views across Silicon Valley. Given the site’s dramatic slope, this entry terrace serves as the only viable outdoor open space for the home.

 

Additional Information

Completion date: 2015

Gross square footage: 775 square feet

Total project cost: withheld

Total construction cost: withheld

Client: withheld

Credits

Architect:

Schwartz and Architecture
860 Rhode Island Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-550-0430

 

Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit:

Wyatt Arnold (registered architect), Paul Burgin, Aaron Goldman, Neil O’Shea, Joshua Yoches

 

Architect of record:

Neal Schwartz

 

Engineers:

Structural Engineer: iAssociates


General contractor:

MD Construction

 

Photographer:

Matthew Millman

 

 

  

Specifications

Structural System

wood

Exterior Cladding

Other cladding unique to this project: Prefinished standing seam roofing on roof and side

Roofing

Metal: Prefinished standing seam roofing

Windows

Metal frame: Fleetwood

Interior Finishes

Cabinetwork and custom woodwork:

Paints and stains: Benjamin Moore

Floor and wall tile: Oceanside glass tile - wall tile
Royal Mosa - Floor tile in bathroom

Raised flooring: Cork flooring from APC cork

Special interior finishes unique to this project: Cork flooring from APC cork

Furnishings

Chairs: owner-provided

Tables: owner-provided

Upholstery: owner-provided

Other furniture: owner-provided

Conveyance

Accessibility provisions: Without steps or grade changes, a seamless transition between interior and exterior is amplified by an overhead plane that suits the needs of elderly or disabled occupants.  In effect, the usable floor area of the home is increased without any additional building resources or actively conditioned space.

Energy

Other unique products that contribute to sustainability: The structure of the house is split directly in half, providing a large ventilation passage serving both wings. The wind-tunnel condition acts as a catalyst to move air laterally through the interior spaces.  A prominent roof oculus allows for a dynamic interior / exterior space directly adjacent to indoor living space and promotes airflow through the often harsh micro-climate of the site.