SLEKT

Both homeowners are structural engineers and had a specific design set in place when it came to their 1,496 sqft home in Soda Springs, Calif. This design not only had to be sleek but had to withstand snow load and fire resiliency, two major elements that should be carefully considered when building on Donner Summit. The 3-bedroom, 2-bath home blends Scandinavian style and Tahoe’s simplistic beauty thanks to lead architect, Tara Sypriano with HEDDA Inc. Not only did she include functionality, she even angled the home to provide lake views from south-facing windows and focus large windows on a private wooded area. HEDDA reimagined the traditional home shape, resulting in a partially covered deck, main entry, and upper-level dormer, all driven by functional needs. With that in mind, Serene Lakes averages 38 feet of snow annually, so the main living spaces were organized on the second and third levels with large windows still offering an abundance of natural light even during record-breaking snow. The sloped metal roof, exterior metal siding and no windows on the lower level were all carefully considered to allow the snow to pile up along the sides of the home and not the front and back of the home. Metal and aluminum were strategically used throughout the build to discourage embers from nesting on or around the structure. The metal roof both wraps the sides of the home and does not contain any contraptions where flammable debris could build up. Bringing the outdoors in, the interior finishes were delicately selected to cohesively blend the clean lines of Scandinavian design with natural textures from the area. Warm woods are balanced with deep lake-hued blues and the kitchen backsplash and bathroom floors feature muted terrazzo to mimic the feel of drifting snow. This home reflects a deep appreciation for the mountains and a commitment to creating a home that is beautiful, safe and functional.