House in Northern California

House in Northern California

© Bernard Andre Photography

The firm from San Francisco Arcanum Architecture organized the mass of this large house in the California city of Atherton, USA, around trees hanging over a wide lawn.

Further along the hallway, a recreational space extending to the south occupies the second volume of the building. The corridor ends with a third section dedicated to the kitchen and living room.

A sliding door hidden in the southern corner of the room leads to a private workspace including a workshop, office, and technical room. A staircase expands this section into an additional office and gym located on the floor above.

A covered internal courtyard following the workspace complex interrupts the connected row of interior spaces, which resumes again as a garage forming the fourth volume of the building.

Using finishes consistent with both exterior and interior, architects aimed to create flexible transitions between external and internal spaces. Among the materials, plaster, light wood, and concrete elements predominate.

Widespread use of glass with large sliding doors opening into protected green areas creates a link between the house and its natural environment. The site contained many large trees and vegetation, which were not only preserved but also became interesting focal points around which the building mass was organized.

Photos: Bernard Andre Photography