Drouin ideas

The footprint echoes the layout of the old house while celebrating the site’s spectacular views.

A custom bench in the mudroom is illuminated by a skylight.

Layered landscaping by Boxleaf Design transforms the property.

The bathroom captures stunning East Bay views with a floor-to-ceiling window.

"We try to find the straightest line between two points," explains architect Andrew Fischer. "We always want to edit down, and be efficient with space."

Floating steel siding shields the home from the elements.

Perched high above Oakland, this expanded midcentury soaks up jaw-dropping views—even from the bathroom.

Just outside Stowe, Vermont, the Barr family cabin, designed by architect Tom Kundig, sits on a hillside overlooking a dense landscape of maples, Scotch pines, and ferns. Kundig wrapped two of the cabin’s three stories in Cor-Ten steel, a signature material for the designer.

The shower also has an arched niche with the same patterned tile, and field tile also from Fireclay, in ‘White Wash’ and ‘Blue Velvet.’

"The Mountain House is not just a dwelling,

The 2008 Mountain House—which took nine years to complete—marks Atelier Bow-Wow's first and only home built in the U.S.

Extensive glazing allows the home to have an intimate connection with nature. The primary suite, along with four additional bedrooms and two baths, are located on the lower level.