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Environmental relationships with the site coupled with the need to meet a wide variety of client preferences determined the solution for this three bedroom dwelling. Placed comfortably apart from other houses on a small hill in a rural subdivision of forty three-acre parcels, the elevated site has a gently rolling terrain covered with natural grasses that features particularly advantageous views of sunsets and city lights in the distance. Both clients work during the week and enjoy spending their weekends in the yard, thus occupying their home primarily in the evening. These factors, together with solar considerations, influenced the orientation of the house and development of the floor plan.

The need to position the house for maximum solar benefit, to enjoy the sunsets, and at the same time allow for viewing of the city lights introduced contradictory elements in generating the form and axis of the plan. These problems resolved by focusing on the desire of the client for an angular structure. The glazing planes face magnetic north (16 degrees west of true north). The side walls, which direct the eye, face the city view (22.5 degrees east of magnetic north). The unfolding of interior spaces and exterior decking between these two angles permits a wide range of external focus according to desire and time of day.

Within the wingspread of the walls, the open plan of the living room, dining room, and kitchen is divided by only floor level changes. A continuous skylight for stargazing separates the two major roof planes covering the living room, and an open trellis light deck lowers the scale to break out the dining room space while permitting visual access. Trellis-like sun screens made of 2" by 2" redwood provide sun protection during the summer months.

Cedar siding panels with diagonally cut battens to cover edge irregularities and allow for shrinkage serve for exterior siding. The siding enters the interior at specific places where glass reveals the continuation of interior and exterior planes. Inside, a large on-site granite boulder was raised in place and set on a concrete block beside the living room steps. Sheet rock walls and ceilings, together with painted doors and trim, provide a crisp tension between the rough sawn cedar, exposed aggregate flooring, and natural boulder surfaces. The textures of these structural materials and the natural surroundings of the site combine with the compositional interplay of light and horizon to fulfill the character of living space sought by the clients.