Transparent Home

  • Alamo, California
  • Private Client

Transparency, indoor-outdoor lifestyle and the owner’s contemporary aesthetic were guiding principles that informed the design of this home.

Carefully placed on a pie/right-triangle lot at the end of a narrow drive, this L-shaped plan configuration naturally embraces the homesite. Stepped linear and geometric massing, highlighted by the warmth of cedar siding, frame large expanses of full-height glazing. Mindfully placed windows create balanced natural light through the home and create uninterrupted sightlines. This visual access promotes the indoor-outdoor connections while operable glazing in the living and great room create direct access to covered 'outdoor rooms', expanding the useable space and allowing the homeowners to enjoy the area's year-round temperate climate. Elements such as open-tread stairs, corner glass, pocketing doors and a see-through fireplace further maintain this free-flowing transparent quality. Full height glass at view corridors allow natural light to express the owners contemporary sculpture collection. 

The floor plan unfolds naturally on the site. Framed by the entry is a view over a water feature and across the site to the foothills beyond. The adjacent 14-foot high volume living room is flanked by a spacious south terrace and a sculpture garden to the north. This leads to a formal dining room, which is opposite a floating staircase and music niche. The nearby garage and auto-court, owner’s entry and mudroom are positioned at the intersection of the 'L' for efficient traffic flow.

A wine cellar and pantry form a pass-through to the dining room from the double-island kitchen. The kitchen, great room and casual dining occupy a large peninsula securing full south and east solar exposure. This entertainment wing opens up with 10-foot by 24-foot high glass stacking doors that conceal gracefully into wall pockets providing unobstructed views and direct access to the covered terrace, pool, cabana, sunken firepit and bocce ball court.

The sculptural stairs lead to three second floor bedroom suites and a bonus playroom. A large deck off the owner’s suite overlooks the rear yard and a free-standing tub at corner glass views to the forested western hills beyond. A separate living zone to the left of the entry provide both a guest suite as well as a private home office 'crows nest' with deck perched above.

Transparent Home artfully embraces the angled shape of the lot taking full advantage of indoor-outdoor livability, while capturing views over a neighboring horse ranch to majestic Mount Diablo and the foothills beyond.

Project Specs

Building Area:5,889 sqft residence

Awards

2022 Gold Nugget Merit Award, Best Custom Home, 4,000-6,000 sqft

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