116 DIGS.NET
| 12.11.2020
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work, Framestudio managed to preserve
the soul of the Henry Hill house while
simultaneously injecting the elements
that now make it a contemporary home.
Overlooking the San Ramon Valley
from the west, the home offers views of
Mount Diablo that are seen especially
well from the glass-filled living room.
Two wings emanate off of this space,
creating a boomerang plan and allowing
every room to connect with nature. One of
the wings consists of the lounge, kitchen,
dining room and den while the other
embraces three bedrooms. The peaceful
and sublime landscape, meanwhile,
inspired the color and material palette
throughout the home. "We used wide
plank oak floors and unglazed tiles in
muted earth tones, making reference
to the beauty of its surroundings,"
DeWitt says. Indeed, the ultimate goal
for Framestudio was that "nothing must
distract from that view."
Always considering sustainability,
DeWitt made no exception with this
project: windows were upgraded with
dual-paned, insulated glass; thermally
broken window systems were installed;
insulation was added to the walls and
ceilings; the membrane roof system was
painted white to reflect the sun and cool
interior spaces; overscaled roof eaves stick
out almost 10 feet, blocking the afternoon
sun and keeping the house naturally
cooler; and water taps, showers and
toilets are low-flow to conserve water. The
outdoor areas, landscaped by Orr Design
Office, also nod to the environment, with
fire-resistant plantings complemented
by an irregularly shaped swimming
pool. The exterior space is yet another
invitation to slow down and contemplate
the panorama.
Living here is "as if you're inhabiting a
black-and-white Paul Strand photograph
or a Kumi Yamashita sculpture,"
according to the members of Framestudio.
As for DeWitt, "This home is an oasis of
calm, a place where the passage of time
and the seasons can not only be observed
from the windows, but also experienced
through the play of light and shadows
that animate the home throughout the
day," he concludes. framestud.io
