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Tasked with renovating a 1950s ranch in Northern California, Ogawa Fisher Architects revived an existing Japanese garden at the center of the home as a central organizing element. Low-slung, wide decks (inspired by the Japanese “engawa,” or elevated walkway) and deep roof soffits expand the living spaces, frame views, and blur the boundaries between inside and outside. The garden is the second of three courtyards that orients the various wings of the home from front to back, creating a vast sense of openness while also maintaining privacy from other areas of the house and the street.

“We wanted it to feel like our sanctuary,” says the owner of the new primary bathroom.

The primary suite is located at the upper level, projected over the deck to create protected outdoor space. Note how the architects carved away a portion of the exterior wall so as to allow people to walk around the supporting column and ensure natural light penetrates the glass doors from two sides.

Oak lines the interior for a tactile surprise, and the marble counter echoes the marble on the island and perimeter counters.

The pantry has a bar, extra storage, and display for the owners’ cookbooks and favorite kitchen wares. Since it’s used every day, the architects wanted it “to equal the pleasure of being inside the kitchen,” says Edmonds. “I often tell people it's my favorite room in the house,” adds the owner.

The new powder room.

The weeHouse exteriors are clad in corrugated Cor-Ten, but with a custom pattern of folds to create an organic randomness. The foundations were designed with a shallow recess around the top to make the modules look like they’re hovering. After they bought the property in early 2014, the Siegels camped there for two summers while they saved up money and planned a permanent structure. In his research, BJ came across this design, a customizable prefab house by Alchemy Architects. "Of all the things that I found, I was drawn to that one because it was absolutely the simplest and cleanest," he says.

Gatineau House - Architects Challenge Winner 2014 A clean, contemporary design keeps this washroom simply elegant while the outside foliage affords privacy. Architects: Rick Shean and Christopher Simmonds; Architecture Firm: Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc.; Photo by Peter Fritz #marvin #windows #doors #architecture #bathroom #architectschallenge

The interior is clad in white pine and narrow skylights help to brighten the space.

Walnut cabinetry is topped with Calacatta Murano Quartz countertops.