napa farmhouse
project details
In 2013, we were commissioned by Robert Zeller to build a home for him and his wife, Inge, on the edge of Downtown Napa, CA. Early on, we recognized the importance of embracing Napa’s agrarian history, but collectively we wanted to provide a light touch of modernity to reflect changing living patterns.
An existing structure with a gambrel roof on the back of the lot known as the ‘Dog House’, built in 1946 as a retirement office, provided the inspiration for the style, materiality and massing of the new home. We meticulously refurbished it and incorporated into the overall site plan, connecting to the new residence via a covered walkway adjacent to a private garden and patio.
Traditionally, this style of home would have been designed with distinct and separate main rooms. Instead, we opted for a single ‘Great Room’ on the ground floor, incorporating the living, kitchen, and dining areas from front to back. This open plan creates a large, communal space allowing Robert and Inge’s large family to comfortably interact and entertain, one of the Zeller’s most important goals from the very beginning.
Services:
full architectural and interior design services, from conceptual design through construction.
Location:
Third Street, Napa, CA
Size:
3,400 square foot, two-stories
Completion:
November 2015
Collaborators:
Randy Theume Design (landscape)
ZFA Structural Engineers (structural)
Beaman Construction (general contractor)
Mariko Reed: (photography)