Collection by Karen Burnett
A soaking tub set off to the side of the house offers a tranquil space to view the sunset.
A soaking tub set off to the side of the house offers a tranquil space to view the sunset.
The exposed concrete of the exterior ground floor adds to the rustic yet modern feel of the house.
The exposed concrete of the exterior ground floor adds to the rustic yet modern feel of the house.
Located minutes from downtown Sonoma, California, this 1,750-square-foot home takes advantage of the steep topography of a hillside and provides sweeping views of wine country from nearly every room. It was designed to be a modern-day rustic country retreat, featuring a triple-gabled roof made of deep red Cort-Ten steel and plenty of outdoor space.
Located minutes from downtown Sonoma, California, this 1,750-square-foot home takes advantage of the steep topography of a hillside and provides sweeping views of wine country from nearly every room. It was designed to be a modern-day rustic country retreat, featuring a triple-gabled roof made of deep red Cort-Ten steel and plenty of outdoor space.
“We chose to site the buildings as far back from the road as possible, approximately 800-feet from the private section of Awalau Road,” says Thomas.
“We chose to site the buildings as far back from the road as possible, approximately 800-feet from the private section of Awalau Road,” says Thomas.
“The outdoor kitchen is set into the slope of the land and covered by a large, curved roof—similar to the Quonset design—with an additional 18 solar panels,” says Thomas. The al fresco cooking and gathering area has a built-in grill, cooktop, sink and large fire pit, as well as ample seating.
“The outdoor kitchen is set into the slope of the land and covered by a large, curved roof—similar to the Quonset design—with an additional 18 solar panels,” says Thomas. The al fresco cooking and gathering area has a built-in grill, cooktop, sink and large fire pit, as well as ample seating.
<span style="font-family: Theinhardt, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;">“Adjacent to the barn is a four-space carport that also serves as the main structure for the 30-panel solar array, the solar control center, and electric car charging station,” Thomas says. “The butterfly roof optimizes the collection of solar energy and water for the catchment system.”</span>
“Adjacent to the barn is a four-space carport that also serves as the main structure for the 30-panel solar array, the solar control center, and electric car charging station,” Thomas says. “The butterfly roof optimizes the collection of solar energy and water for the catchment system.”
“For the barn, we chose a Quonset hut structure, inspired by its historic impact on the island,” Thomas says. “The Quonset hut design is an extremely durable, efficient and effective way to enclose space with no interior structure required.”
“For the barn, we chose a Quonset hut structure, inspired by its historic impact on the island,” Thomas says. “The Quonset hut design is an extremely durable, efficient and effective way to enclose space with no interior structure required.”
The indoor/outdoor fitness area has a north-facing large, glass panel garage door.
The indoor/outdoor fitness area has a north-facing large, glass panel garage door.
There is also a wellness center with an infrared sauna and a 40-foot container swimming pool.
There is also a wellness center with an infrared sauna and a 40-foot container swimming pool.
“The shed roof design allows for a vaulted ceiling and sleeping loft,” Thomas says. “Two large attic fans high on the north wall create a natural air conditioning system.”
“The shed roof design allows for a vaulted ceiling and sleeping loft,” Thomas says. “Two large attic fans high on the north wall create a natural air conditioning system.”
“Tucked along the edge of the heavily wooded part of the property, the ‘nohana’ was designed to optimize space on a small foot print and capture the views of the ocean,” Thomas says.
“Tucked along the edge of the heavily wooded part of the property, the ‘nohana’ was designed to optimize space on a small foot print and capture the views of the ocean,” Thomas says.
In the primary bathroom, a walk-in show is flanked on one side with sliding glass doors that lead to an enclosed bath area.
In the primary bathroom, a walk-in show is flanked on one side with sliding glass doors that lead to an enclosed bath area.
Industrial-style vertical roller doors connect the various rooms.
Industrial-style vertical roller doors connect the various rooms.
“The property is powered by a 48-panel solar array, a propane powered back-up generator, and eight batteries,” say the listing agents.
“The property is powered by a 48-panel solar array, a propane powered back-up generator, and eight batteries,” say the listing agents.
Geometric windows; industrial beams; colors, white walls, wood/stainless steel
Geometric windows; industrial beams; colors, white walls, wood/stainless steel
The one-bedroom, one-bath primary residence “is oriented along the east/west axis, maximizing the northern view of the Pacific Ocean and the southern view of Haleakala,” says Thomas.
The one-bedroom, one-bath primary residence “is oriented along the east/west axis, maximizing the northern view of the Pacific Ocean and the southern view of Haleakala,” says Thomas.
“The house is elevated approximately 36 inches on piers to allow air to flow freely around the structure, which helps control mold and keep the house cool,” says Thomas. “The pier design also allowed us to level the house, while leaving the natural slope of the land lightly touched.”
“The house is elevated approximately 36 inches on piers to allow air to flow freely around the structure, which helps control mold and keep the house cool,” says Thomas. “The pier design also allowed us to level the house, while leaving the natural slope of the land lightly touched.”
“We chose to site the buildings as far back from the road as possible, approximately 800-feet from the private section of Awalau Road,” says Thomas, the owner and seller. The one-bedroom, one-bath primary residence “is oriented along the east/west axis, maximizing the northern view of the Pacific Ocean and the southern view of Haleakala,” he continues.
“We chose to site the buildings as far back from the road as possible, approximately 800-feet from the private section of Awalau Road,” says Thomas, the owner and seller. The one-bedroom, one-bath primary residence “is oriented along the east/west axis, maximizing the northern view of the Pacific Ocean and the southern view of Haleakala,” he continues.
Former architecture professor Thomas Rusnak designed and built the Float Off-Grid Art Farm on a nearly 16-acre lot in Haiku, Hawaii. “When we walked the property prior to construction, we immediately fell in love with the three boulder-lined creeks and the beauty of the rolling pasture land,” Thomas says. “You can see the observatory atop Haleakala and a 180-degree view of the Pacific Ocean. We felt it was important that the Art Farm be a self-sustainable place, not tied to the traditional grid, while maintaining the creature comforts of the 21st century.”
Former architecture professor Thomas Rusnak designed and built the Float Off-Grid Art Farm on a nearly 16-acre lot in Haiku, Hawaii. “When we walked the property prior to construction, we immediately fell in love with the three boulder-lined creeks and the beauty of the rolling pasture land,” Thomas says. “You can see the observatory atop Haleakala and a 180-degree view of the Pacific Ocean. We felt it was important that the Art Farm be a self-sustainable place, not tied to the traditional grid, while maintaining the creature comforts of the 21st century.”

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