This project is essentially a new residence built on the foundation of an existing U shaped California ranch style home. Two small rooms were retained from the original structure. The property is located in the beautiful oak studded hills of Livermore, California. The original building was constructed in the 1950’s of typical materials and construction methods; slab on grade, 2x4x8 wood studs, aluminum windows and sliding doors and placed on a bench cut partially into the hillside. The building layout, room sizes, window placement and eave lines all contributed to a feeling that the magnificent views of the surrounding hills were not exploited.
The new design presents spacious volumes with tall wood windows and doors allowing visual access to horizon, sky and hillsides in the foreground and distance. It consists of five new tall articulated wood boxes, which are an expression of important interior spaces within the building. They are connected by slightly lower roof and ceiling sections with trellis and walls of integral color plaster.
The owners have an extensive art and furniture collection that is set off by
two-foot square sandstone tiles throughout the interior and into the exterior
pool court. There is a strong interior-exterior connection characteristic of
California ranch homes of the 1950’s and 60’s. The tile and natural wood and plaster interior finishes add rich surfaces for a mix of sophisticated and
rustic natural finish.
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