Gold Country Retreat

The Gold Country Retreat was designed by Studio Pear for a multi-generational extended family as a place for recreation and gathering. The main focus is the oak woodlands and rolling hills of the Sierra Nevada foothills. The house is oriented to take in the views and plentiful outdoor spaces to augment the interiors. The clients desired a simple house that would be comfortable for one but also easily accommodate a dozen guests.

To maximize use and privacy Studio Pear split the house into two wings - a simple single room for the social & living spaces and a second wing for the sleeping and bathroom areas that are separated by the entry. The bedrooms are “cabin” like with a minimal footprint and built-in cabinetry. To allow for only one bathroom but maximize use the different functions are separated into discrete rooms – WC, shower and vanity. For overflow guests the built-in seating in the living room can double as sleeping bunks.

The remote location of the house presented challenges for utility access so it was practical to choose to be “off-grid”. Rather than having a very large PV array and battery bank the house is designed to minimize energy needs with efficient appliances, additional exterior insulation, triple-pane windows, and airtight construction. Use of strategic shading at the south facing bedrooms and west facing covered porch help keeps rooms cool and avoid harsh light. The house remains comfortable all year with minimal heating or cooling but has a wood stove for resiliency. Also of great concern during the design process was the increasing issue of wildfires. The house is set in a defensible space of decorative rock and away from the oak woodlands rather than nestled into them. Additionally, the high-performance energy measures of mineral wool exterior insulation, non-vented assemblies and air-tightness have the additional benefits of protecting against fire and poor air quality. The technology of building in today’s world are sometimes unseen but add to the safety, poetry and enjoyment of the setting for this family retreat.