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The first Out of the Valley sauna was developed during the pandemic as interest in home saunas was surging. It was a simple adaptation of its popular Nomad Cabin, which is pictured here. Since then, saunas have become a key part of the company’s production schedule, with three different pre-designed models as well as the option for bespoke models.

“Living in a home that we worked on with our own hands alongside our family—it’s so much more nourishing,” says Carisa.

"We wanted the countertops to be special, so Aaron drew a curve for this corner and our friend John built them,

The five-foot tall fire pit rock is buried three-feet into the ground for stability.

A southern view shows the exposed concrete foundation and entrance bridge. “As you approach and enter, the front door is at the top,” explains Sokol. “It’s a three-story house with the entrance on the third story, and the master bedroom in the basement—it’s sort of upside down.”

Landscape Design by Land Morphology

"This home is intended as both a place of refuge and of play," says Emily Summers Design Associates.

Green room: Below grade ground floor windows look out onto landscaped rocks and vegetation

A glimpse of the breezeway beneath the grated metal footbridge. The doors and accents were constructed from ipe wood.

New custom walnut cabinetry syncs with the rest of the built-ins throughout the home, to create a pleasing rhythm in the open plan. The backsplash is Heath Ceramics tile, and the counter is Pental Quartz. Open shelves at the rear overlook a cozy den, and allow sightlines out the new windows at the front of the home.

Boyer first visited the site in 2018 for the redesign. Having grown up in the area, it was awful to see the devastating effects of the fire, but there were also signs of regrowth just a year later. “The redwoods had started to grow a little fuzzy green against the charred black [bark],” says Boyer. “It was kind-of promising. It felt hopeful that nature was coming back so quickly.”