Craig Steely

A bridge of steel grating leads to the garage and the entrance, both on the upper level. Sunlight funnels through an opening in the rooftop down to the living area. The orange hot tub is by ALFI. - Cupertino, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017

A 22-foot-long white composite quartz countertop provides both kitchen work space and a dining table. - Cupertino, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017

The main living area is cantilevered into the tree canopy, while bedrooms, bathrooms, service, and storage are located behind a long wall of cabinetry against the hillside. - Cupertino, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017

The living room, office, and kitchen are sunken into the concrete floor, providing delineation in the open plan. - Cupertino, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017

Two trunk-like columns support an aluminum-and-zinc-clad home in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains designed by architect Craig Steely. With an intention to disrupt as few oak trees on the dense site as possible, Steely built the glass-walled house to nestle against the steep hillside. Visitors access the entrance from above, descending to the living spaces via a native grass-covered roof.

- Cupertino, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017

The additional bedroom also enjoys direct access to an outdoor courtyard.

A peek inside the office attached to the master bedroom suite.

The kitchen pantry is housed in a curved, free-standing structure that's also wrapped in Western Red Cedar.

Walls of operable glass by Fleetwood create a seamless flow between the indoors and out.

The living room is flanked with views of two courtyards to the north and south.

Curved to avoid the dripline of an existing tree, the sinuous wall created an opportunity for in-built bench seating indoors.

"Unlike its neighbors, this house is not fenced off at its street perimeter," notes the firm. "A meadow of native grasses flows from the sidewalk with existing oaks, redwoods, and newly planted birch trees flowing inside and outside of the curving wooden wall."

The roofline of the breezeway is raised to allow for clerestory glazing.

Travertine flooring by New Marble Company continues from the interiors to the outdoor courtyards to further emphasize indoor/outdoor living.

A view of the breezeway looking south towards the private areas.

An oversized, seven-square-foot glass pivot door marks the main entrance and leads to the foyer.

A covered walkway connects the detached garage and guest suite with the main structure.

The sinuous Western Red Cedar wall is steel-framed with wood infill studs.