NORTHWOOD RESIDENCE

Santa Rosa, CA

 

This hillside residence sits on the boundary of a wooded open space and a suburban development. Previously, eight different parties owned this unique site. As these previous owners discovered, the unusual configuration of this sloped site doesn’t lend itself to a conventional design.

In response, the house is boldly placed perpendicular to the slope in an east/west orientation, with the garage spanning from the driveway to the upper level of the house. The 1960s modernist architecture of the surrounding homes served as inspiration for the design. The home features numerous passive solar features and is not air-conditioned, yet remains comfortable throughout the year.

A bold interior wall carries the exterior cladding through the home creating a linear circulation gallery, and divides larger spaces with city views from smaller spaces that feature views into the woods.