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	Photos © Sharon Risedorph Plus: Drawing | Ground Floor Plan | 1st Floor Plan

Santa Rosa, Calif.
Sander Architects

It was the last lot in a Santa Rosa, Ca. subdivision. While its location overlooking the Valley of the Moon vineyard was very desirable, its steep hill and designated building zone, which abutted a neighboring residence, were obvious disadvantages, and the lot remained on the market. Enter an artist couple and an architect with a vision who, together, realized the five-acre site's potential and set out to build a home with studio spaces for both its residents, a sculptor and a quilter. This was not the first venture between the clients and architect Whitney Sander—Sander had previously built a residence for the couple in Colorado. “With the first house, I had the opportunity to build on a 102-acre site," says Sander, "With this residence, I had the chance to work with a billion dollar view.” Creative negotiations with the developer of the subdivision allowed the building zone to be moved. Instead of a residence at the base of the hill, the house resides 70 feet up the hillside.

The apparent horizontal geometry of the house belies what occurs when stepping through the entrance, located toward the hillside. “I wanted to tease the viewer a little bit,” says Sander, “while the house presents itself as horizontal, when you enter, you walk into a completely enclosed vertical space.” Within this entry space is a 22-foot curved torqued steel wall, a curved staircase, and a series of platforms used as a gallery for some of the owner’s large-scale pottery. In fact, Sander found several ways to incorporate the sculptor’s work into house, including using some of his tiles in the bathroom and on the main entrance's overhang and creating a display area for showcasing his work on the second floor. The architect was also inspired by the sculptor in his choice of steel for the vertical sculpture. “The potter’s work had a deep influence on all aspects of the house," he says, "When creating the sculpture, I chose steel because neither steel nor clay have axes and both materials have strength in all directions.”

One third of this 4,500 square-foot residence is dedicated to the sculptor’s studio. The space requirement for an extra large high-fire kiln created a crucial design element for the home. Another large portion of the house is dedicated to the great room. After ascending the curved staircase to the second floor and crossing a bar grading bridge, one enters the vast living area which is graced by large picture windows providing views of the valley.

Another notable feature of the great room is the exposed steel frame structure that is used throughout the house. “My clients admire the construction method and understand truth in simplicity and simple structure,” says Sander. This perspective is also reflected in the residence’s exterior. The zinc-coated standing seam roofing system that clads the structure is not only an uncomplicated design but it is also low-maintenance, as per the owners’ request.

By Randi Greenberg

Gross square footage
4,500

Total construction cost
$1 million

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