The home and studio are positioned to use the entire property, with a delicate roof and glazed entry floating between the two, framing garden views.

The house, a white two-story bar, bends in a gentle curve to create an efficient footprint. In contrast, the adjacent studio references the scale and form of the neighborhood’s one-story gable cottages.

Each design aspect was considered to create a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. Every room opens directly to an outdoor space; strategically located windows and openings create views through the house while maintaining privacy. Large sliding doors in the living space connect to the pool patio, and the studio is flanked by a street courtyard for large art projects and parties.

A long skylight through the middle of the house draws natural light and ventilation deep into the space, and an exterior “skyroom” off the master bedroom serves as a place for respite.

The home was planned around an efficient core of circulation, utility spaces, and bathrooms to take advantage of stacked plumbing walls and efficient HVAC ducting to the surrounding rooms.

A well-designed building envelope, high-efficiency mechanical systems, solar panels, and passive ventilation throughout the house reduce energy use and the home’s carbon footprint.

Rainwater from the roof is captured and used to irrigate the landscape, both to conserve water and mitigate stormwater runoff.

EUI of 3.56 kBtu/ft²/yr, is a ~91% savings from baseline EUI of 38.4 kBtu/ft²/yr for similar size homes across the US. The annual savings of 27,896 kWh is equivalent to eliminating CO2 emissions from the energy use of 3.5 similar size US homes for an entire year.

Outside, a modest materials palette of textured plaster is softened with warm cedar wood accents that will age gracefully over time. The art studio’s pop of red color—inspired by a strawberry bush at the owner’s former home—adds an element of delight. Traditional elements, such as wood window shutters and a barn door, are juxtaposed with the home’s contemporary forms.

Inside, primary finishes create a neutral backdrop for playful details, including an intricate metal gate. This piece, a favorite from the clients’ previous home, was repurposed as the stair guardrail.