Tranquility reigns in this California home, which was created as a calming and creative environment for meditation as well as artistic pursuits
Situated in the mountainous range of Portola valley in California is a residence attuned to its peaceful surroundings. “Wow” was certainly among the first words that came to mind for Bruce Wright, vice-president and principal of SB Architects, upon seeing the surroundings.
“I remember driving down and meeting our clients, talking to them about how spectacular the site was, and how we could integrate the architecture in a way that celebrates all of that,” says Wright. “It was really all about its location on this hilltop—the dramatic views of the oak trees, the valley, the views towards Mount Diablo in the east and the coastal range to the west.”
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Now empty nesters, the owners wanted a place where they could escape from the day-to-day grind of their stressful corporate lives to meditate and paint, as well as entertain their family and friends. Inspired by the hotels and resorts designed by SB Architects, the couple roped in the firm to translate that effortless style in their hospitality projects to their abode.
The design concept was to create a contemporary home that was an expression of the place and an expression of the family. We designed the house in a way that really celebrated their (the owners’) collection of art,” says Wright. “It’s in Silicon Valley, so they are surrounded by technology and they wanted a retreat from all of that. We created a variety of architectural millwork pieces that disguise TVs, so you can press a button and the TV is covered by a gorgeous wood panel. You really minimise the amount of distractions from the electronic world to focus on the sculptural nature of the house and the art.”