Collection by Christopher Hall
Situated between two hills in the Napa Valley, this residence was designed by Signum to be constructed from eleven modules prefabricated by Method Homes.
Situated between two hills in the Napa Valley, this residence was designed by Signum to be constructed from eleven modules prefabricated by Method Homes.
The Floating Farmhouse’s semitransparent addition has a roofline that matches the pitch of the original 1820s farmhouse. A porch, tucked under the side eaves, is cantilevered over a stream that runs through the property. Ikea loungers are illuminated from the interior by commercial gymnasium lights repurposed as pendant lamps.
The Floating Farmhouse’s semitransparent addition has a roofline that matches the pitch of the original 1820s farmhouse. A porch, tucked under the side eaves, is cantilevered over a stream that runs through the property. Ikea loungers are illuminated from the interior by commercial gymnasium lights repurposed as pendant lamps.
The original home occupies a prominent hilltop overlooking Silicon Valley and faces into the pristine rolling hills of a nature preserve at the end of the house receiving the new addition. Taking cues from dominant natural elements of the surrounding densely wooded hillside – boulders, bark, and leaves – SaA created a two-story addition with the visual weight needed to anchor the long axis of the extended original house. Against this, the architects balanced steel-framed stair treads and awnings that cantilever from minimal structural supports as if leaves from a slender branch.
The original home occupies a prominent hilltop overlooking Silicon Valley and faces into the pristine rolling hills of a nature preserve at the end of the house receiving the new addition. Taking cues from dominant natural elements of the surrounding densely wooded hillside – boulders, bark, and leaves – SaA created a two-story addition with the visual weight needed to anchor the long axis of the extended original house. Against this, the architects balanced steel-framed stair treads and awnings that cantilever from minimal structural supports as if leaves from a slender branch.
Fin cladding defines the exterior of the house.
Fin cladding defines the exterior of the house.
Designed by Michael Kendrick Architects, the 503-square-foot prefab cabin hovers above the forest floor to reduce its impact on the nationally protected woodland.
Designed by Michael Kendrick Architects, the 503-square-foot prefab cabin hovers above the forest floor to reduce its impact on the nationally protected woodland.
Large sliding windows retract at the corner, opening the living area onto a lawn overlooking Long Island Sound.
Large sliding windows retract at the corner, opening the living area onto a lawn overlooking Long Island Sound.
“We came up with this design out of a desire to have a bit of a beacon in the hills,” says Charlap Hyman & Herrero principal Andre Herrero. He designed a petite structure of glass, steel, and terrazzo—plus a well-placed Noguchi Akari lamp—in Hollywood for Steven Alper, a retired dentist who wanted a home office with a distinct point of view.
“We came up with this design out of a desire to have a bit of a beacon in the hills,” says Charlap Hyman & Herrero principal Andre Herrero. He designed a petite structure of glass, steel, and terrazzo—plus a well-placed Noguchi Akari lamp—in Hollywood for Steven Alper, a retired dentist who wanted a home office with a distinct point of view.
Nestled on a large private lot in the southern corner of West Hill Park, the three-level home features numerous patios and terraces, in addition to a meandering lawn.
Nestled on a large private lot in the southern corner of West Hill Park, the three-level home features numerous patios and terraces, in addition to a meandering lawn.
Custom cabinetry in the same style saves floorspace, and visually links to the other bedroom and downstairs.
Custom cabinetry in the same style saves floorspace, and visually links to the other bedroom and downstairs.
SHED embraced the angled corners with custom cabinetry. According to Hale, the inspiration images that the couple chose were “less American Midwest farmhouse, and more contemporary Scandinavian farmhouse,” which inspired the design team to consult Scandinavian farm layouts for the master plan.
SHED embraced the angled corners with custom cabinetry. According to Hale, the inspiration images that the couple chose were “less American Midwest farmhouse, and more contemporary Scandinavian farmhouse,” which inspired the design team to consult Scandinavian farm layouts for the master plan.
The Seattle-based SHED Architecture + Design worked with builder Joe Gates Construction to preserve the brick shell, while making room in the 2182-square-foot plan for two complete bedroom suites upstairs, an open main level, and a finished the basement. To the left is a partially-buried, concrete, 380-square-foot “boat bunker,” which acts as a windbreak and gear storage.
The Seattle-based SHED Architecture + Design worked with builder Joe Gates Construction to preserve the brick shell, while making room in the 2182-square-foot plan for two complete bedroom suites upstairs, an open main level, and a finished the basement. To the left is a partially-buried, concrete, 380-square-foot “boat bunker,” which acts as a windbreak and gear storage.
SHED converted the side door into the front door, adding a new entry sequence with a patio, landscaping, stairs, and a metal awning to protect the porch. Wide stairs and a patio lead down to new sliding glass door in the basement, which now has utility spaces and a media room/office. Many of the original window openings were kept on this façade and given new Andersen E-Series units. Two smaller openings were bricked in.
SHED converted the side door into the front door, adding a new entry sequence with a patio, landscaping, stairs, and a metal awning to protect the porch. Wide stairs and a patio lead down to new sliding glass door in the basement, which now has utility spaces and a media room/office. Many of the original window openings were kept on this façade and given new Andersen E-Series units. Two smaller openings were bricked in.
Metal accents, like the steel awning and railing, sync with the new metal roof.
Metal accents, like the steel awning and railing, sync with the new metal roof.
SHED also installed a large dormer on this side of the building to fully accommodate the new upper level plan, and get views of the apple orchard on the other side of the building.
SHED also installed a large dormer on this side of the building to fully accommodate the new upper level plan, and get views of the apple orchard on the other side of the building.

13 more saves