This 7,200 square foot home was designed for an energetic couple who envisioned the project as a secret hideout among the trees. One of the owners is an interior designer with an architecture degree; he served as a key collaborator and tackled design challenges as part of the team.

The house is long and narrow with an efficient footprint. Its horizontal form allows the second floor mass to float above the landscape and cantilever at both ends. By nestling the residence into the side of a south-facing existing slope, we were able to introduce a light-filled walk-out lower level.

At the main level, a 22 foot wide sliding door unit opens completely, connecting indoors and outdoors in a way that’s perfect for the clients’ frequent entertaining. Outside, a negative edge pool reflects the surrounding landscape.

The airy interiors draw from the owners’ interest in loft-like living with a refined edge. Early in the design process, we established the interior staircase as a central sculptural element that weaves all three levels together.

Walnut detailing recurs as a theme that accents thresholds into rooms and marks movement through spaces. The clients own an extensive wine collection, so the climate-controlled wine room, with blackened steel supports and custom walnut shelving, was a must-have and is used as a backdrop to a custom banquette in the adjacent game room.

Surrounded by pristine woods and clad in cedar, this is a project that celebrates the forest and all its delights.