![]() The top of the retaining wall surrounding the lawn was minimized to the extent that the space has no visual boundary between it and the surrounding landscape, creating a “disappearing edge”. This sense of containment and enclosure is contrasted with a feeling of expansiveness at the back of the house, where the lawn and pool deck perch dramatically above the valley floor. Walls form the spaces immediately adjacent to the house, creating intimate courtyards. Moments of pause, reflection, and respite are at times punctuated by those of drama and awe. The project draws inspiration from the landscape as a source of prospect and refuge. This process required a close working relationship with an arborist, as well as support from both the client and architect. The designers negotiated a delicate balancing act by minimizing root disturbance, while maximizing the proximity of the trees to both the buildings and the outdoor spaces. The careful siting of retaining walls, in lieu of significant earthwork, was carried out in an effort to both minimize root disturbance and to give the sense that the house and gardens had been precisely inserted into the existing landscape. The landscape architect worked closely with the architect to site the house within the canopy of the oaks, taking advantage of their beauty while also maximizing the spectacular views. While tree preservation made the design more challenging, the trees provided incredible inspiration and opportunity for the outdoor spaces, in addition to shade on hot summer days. The landscape architect took extreme care to preserve the mature oak trees on the site. The extensive project encompasses 2.5 acres, with an additional portion of vineyard surrounding the house. The intrinsic qualities of the site were a great inspiration to the design team, so expanding upon the site’s inherent beauty was a goal identified early in the design process. The refined courtyards and luscious gardens gradually transition to the landscape beyond, blurring the line between what is designed and what is natural. Corten stairways, framed by ornamental grasses, lead throughout the expansive grounds. While certain gathering spaces are carefully contained, the pool terrace and lawn float dramatically above the surrounding vineyard and valley, their edges spilling to the valley beyond. The more exuberant spaces contain a mix of grasses and flowering perennials, including Pink Muhly Grass and White Gaura, overflowing onto adjacent paths. This controlled approach is contrasted with abundant gardens elsewhere. The entry courtyards consist of restrained material and plant palettes: four ancient olive trees are established in a gravel ground plane, while stepping stones float through a mass of white blooming crepe myrtle and shade-tolerant Seslaria grass. Taking inspiration from the site’s naturally occurring field stone, rough-hewn walls structure the spaces immediately surrounding the buildings. The design elicits visceral responses to the landscape as a source of both introspection and the connection to the larger environment.The Calistoga Residence is perched within the native oak woodland above Napa Valley, with views to vineyards and hills beyond. At the rear of the house, a sheltered shade garden, comprised of soft plantings, blossoming trees, and permeable materials provides a quiet refuge. Along the sequence, clean walls of corten contrast with raw cliff face and plantings, while planes of glass at the end of the overlooks bring the user within a visceral proximity to the drop underneath. Upon arrival, a carefully choreographed entry sequence along an entry stair welcomes the visitor, while expanded overlooks create moments for pause, respite and drama. From the beginning, the design strove to dissolve the barrier between the user and the expansive landscape beyond. The landscape at the Cliff House alters perception for the user and initiates a deeper respect for the breathtaking context of a steep hillside overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Landscape Architect/ Principal in Charge: Andrea Cochran
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