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A closer look at the power room that sits in the center of the main level.

In the living area, Jeremy, left, and Joe relax on a green Muuto sectional. “We never would have chosen it on our own,” says Joe, extending praise to their architects for nudging them to take chances. “Now we can’t imagine any other sofa. It’s perfect.” The velvet sofa upholstery in Moss is from Knoll, while the rug is from Armadillo.

The kitchen is located in a bespoke timber joinery unit that divides the “living shed.” The timber has been stained black to contrast with the surrounding timber cladding, and brass counters and backsplashes echo the use of brass details throughout the interior. “Brass was a very special material—used sparingly—that has come to be a hallmark of the project,” says architect Ben Shields.

Even the master bathroom boasts spectacular views to the south. Vertical-grain oak, with visible knots, is featured throughout the interior to establish a contemporary, rustic aesthetic in reference to the old farmhouses that inspired the home.

The family wanted an open concept with minimal interruptions from the structure of the home.

The company's unique steel structures can be applied in nearly any environment.

This home's different roof heights required a customizable, flexible building component to make the drawings a reality.

Blue Sky Building Systems worked with CB Architecture and Marchese Construction to create a steel-framed home for a family of four in Orinda, California.

The lofted space shag carpet was replaced with bouncy cream colored popcorn Berber Carpet to spark feelings of summer camp nostalgia.

The walnut cabinets are natural walnut, designed by Natalie Officer for Sims Lohman. Kitchen appliances are Miele.

The brass backsplash was a risky experiment carried off by Natalie, who started with unlacquered 4x8 foot sheets, then gave them patina by covering them in vinegar, ketchup, and salt, and leaving them out in the sun. The resulting pattern was aligned as carefully as possible, and the surface sealed. “We just had to essentially cut the topography into a way that felt really great,” says Natalie.

A Blu Dot table is surrounded by custom made stools by Dan Druley Craftsman. A Dolomite slab, Enigma in 3cm, covers the counters. The overhead light is Roll and Hill Fiddlehead Cantilever.

When addressing the constant gradient diagonal line restriction, Nakamura and team used the constraint to strengthen the design. “The diagonal line restriction can be a negative factor, but we intentionally incorporated the limitation into the [roofline] of the traditional Japanese wooden architecture, elevating [it] to the atrium of the staircase,” says Nakamura.

The Kitayama cedar rafter ceiling reflects a naturalist approach to modern Japanese architecture—as do the home’s Takenoko dining chairs, designed by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP.

"The effect of the plantings on the terrace is enormous,” reflects the couple. “Not only do the branches and formations give a sense of the four seasons, but the way it looks from the living room contributes to a sense of calmness. It gives the illusion that we are viewing art."

“The warmth of the plants and trees is felt in the home,” the homeowners share. The garden includes a tall Iroha maple tree (left), an evergreen Horutonoki tree (right), along with moss and ferns at the base.

Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP used 87 translucent bricks to reframe a family’s connection to nature and the city.

Each of the bedrooms present spacious retreats to rest and unwind.

The single-story residence has an open-plan living/dining area.