Architectural Cases

In Northern California, a revolutionary architectural endeavor by Faulkner Architects introduces a blueprint for fire-resistant living. The Pine Flat Residence, a multi-story dwelling, stands as a testament to resilience and sustainable design, emerging from the ashes of a tragic wildfire. This project not only redefines mountain living but also champions an innovative approach to construction in vulnerable landscapes.

Faulkner Architects' Vision for Fire-Resilient Living in California

In the picturesque, yet fire-prone, region of Healdsburg, Northern California, Faulkner Architects has masterfully completed the Pine Flat Residence. This three-bedroom, two-story home, nestled into a dramatic hillside, is a beacon of innovative design born from necessity. The site's previous residence succumbed to the devastating Kincade Fire of 2019, prompting the clients to commission a structure that could withstand future blazes while offering a harmonious blend with its natural surroundings.

Faulkner Architects, with offices in California and Colorado, embraced the challenge, aiming to create a durable, low-maintenance home with an extended lifecycle. The design subtly nods to the historical character of the Pine Flat community, once a bustling mining town in the Mayacamas Mountains. The architects' philosophy transcended mere aesthetics, viewing the house as an integral tool for coexisting with the landscape. Emphasizing the need for enhanced construction systems and materials in wildland-urban interfaces, the project serves as a model for proactive disaster preparedness.

A key sustainable feature is the reuse of the original concrete foundation and walls from the destroyed house. This not only honored the site's past but also significantly reduced embodied energy and minimized excavation on the steep terrain. The residence features a long volume crowned by a shed roof that mirrors the natural slope and aligns with the ridgeline. A distinct garage section protrudes, ingeniously capping a workshop space embedded within the lower level of the hillside.

The exterior is enveloped in corrugated Corten steel, chosen for its exceptional fire-resistive properties. This protective shell is complemented by sliding ember screens and exterior sprinklers on the decks, all meticulously integrated to mitigate fire risks. Furthermore, the home champions passive survivability through off-grid utilities, including an upgraded solar array.

Accessibility was a paramount consideration, with an entry ramp leading from the western access point to the main level, encompassing the primary bedroom, living, and dining areas. A pre-framed elevator core ensures future wheelchair access to the lower level, which houses additional bedrooms, service areas, and creative spaces for the residents.

On the upper main level, a concrete chimney is framed by expansive windows that open onto a wraparound porch, a subtle yet powerful reminder of the previous fire's impact. This poignant element is juxtaposed with an artesian water basin on the west side, fostering a visual and poetic dialogue that celebrates the site's natural spring water.

Beyond fire safety, the Pine Flat Residence demonstrates advanced water management. Wastewater is treated in a septic field, while a cantilevered gutter system captures 100% of the site's stormwater. This runoff is diverted to a bioretention area and then cascades into a retention pond, serving as a crucial backup firefighting water source. Spring-fed wells supply all water needs, including a dedicated tank for the fire hydrant and sprinkler system. A Pelton wheel harnesses hydroelectric power from captured water, feeding into a continually refreshed basin perfect for cooling dips.

The meticulous design and construction of the Pine Flat Residence, captured through the lens of photographer Joe Fletcher, highlight Faulkner Architects' unwavering commitment to integrating fire resilience and water celebration into their architectural practice, as evidenced by their previous projects in Nevada and Lake Tahoe.

The Pine Flat Residence stands as a powerful demonstration that architectural innovation can not only rebuild after disaster but also proactively shape a safer, more sustainable future. This project inspires us to consider how design can adapt to environmental challenges, fostering harmony between human dwellings and the untamed beauty of nature.

Hollaway Studio has masterfully revitalized a residence in Dungeness, Kent, transforming a deteriorating 1940s structure into the contemporary Westview Cottage. This project navigates the stringent development guidelines of Dungeness, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, by adhering to the original building's footprint and mass. The innovative design expands the living area by integrating former outbuildings, resulting in expansive, open-plan spaces that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The material selection, a striking blend of wood and metal, is a testament to the studio's deep understanding of the coastal environment, promising durability and a graceful aging process. Westview Cottage stands as a testament to thoughtful architectural evolution, balancing modern living with a profound respect for its unique setting.

This architectural endeavor by Hollaway Studio showcases a profound sensitivity to its context, particularly in Dungeness, a location renowned for its unique environmental characteristics and strict building regulations. The design philosophy behind Westview Cottage was not merely to replace an old structure but to elevate it, creating a dwelling that both honors its predecessor's presence and offers a vastly improved living experience. By strategically incorporating the footprints of the original home and its adjacent outbuildings, the studio has forged a harmonious dialogue between past and present, expanding the usable space without compromising the site's ecological integrity. The resulting home is a series of interconnected, light-filled volumes, each meticulously oriented to capture the dramatic vistas of Dungeness, from the iconic lighthouses to the expansive horizon. This careful calibration of form, function, and environment underscores a commitment to sustainable and contextually appropriate design, reflecting the studio's ongoing narrative of place-based architecture.

Embracing Dungeness's Unique Identity through Design

Westview Cottage embodies a profound architectural response to the singular character of Dungeness, a locale famed for its stark, desert-like landscape and rigorous development restrictions. Hollaway Studio's design approach was deeply informed by the site's history and environment, moving beyond a simple rebuild to create a residence that is intrinsically woven into its surroundings. The studio's prior experiences in the area, particularly with Pobble House, provided invaluable insights into selecting materials that not only endure the harsh coastal climate but also evolve aesthetically with time, contributing to the area's narrative rather than merely occupying space. The result is a home that respects its heritage while offering modern comforts, seamlessly blending into the monochrome palette of Dungeness with its considered use of wood and metal.

The architectural journey of Westview Cottage began with a dilapidated 1940s dwelling, a structure suffering from significant decay and a lack of connection to its remarkable setting. Hollaway Studio recognized the potential within these constraints, envisioning a home that would not just replace the old but enrich the Dungeness landscape. The expansion strategy, which integrated the footprints of the original cottage and its eight adjoining sheds, was a clever solution to maximize space under strict SSSI guidelines. This allowed for the creation of open, flowing interiors that prioritize views and natural light, transforming previously cramped living areas into vibrant spaces designed for contemporary life. The deliberate choice of a monochrome material palette, featuring treated wood and various metals, was a conscious effort to echo the local vernacular of fishing shacks and railway structures, ensuring the new build felt both novel and deeply rooted in its place. This thoughtful balance of innovation and tradition highlights a design philosophy that champions site-specificity and enduring beauty.

Harmonizing Interior and Exterior: A Vision of Coastal Living

The interior transformation of Westview Cottage stands as a testament to Hollaway Studio's commitment to creating a living space that is both visually arresting and deeply functional. By reconfiguring the layout, the studio successfully opened the home to the stunning westward views of Dungeness, establishing an immediate connection between indoor comfort and outdoor grandeur. The strategic placement of the main living area, leading directly to an uninterrupted vista of the lighthouse and horizon, exemplifies a design philosophy focused on maximizing the inherent beauty of the location. This meticulous planning extends to the private quarters, where the main bedroom enjoys the same privileged outlook, ensuring a consistent experience of connection to the surrounding environment throughout the home.

The internal spaces of Westview Cottage are characterized by a refined material palette and a deliberate arrangement that fosters both openness and seclusion. The decision to employ a salt-and-pepper-hued concrete floor, crafted with local aggregate, serves as a symbolic and tactile extension of the shingle beach outside, blurring the lines between the built environment and the natural landscape. This is complemented by the warmth of white-washed and oiled natural timbers, alongside the crispness of polished plasterwork, creating an interior that is both elegant and resilient. The seamless flow between the living room, kitchen, and dining areas facilitates a relaxed, communal atmosphere, while the considered placement of a standalone retreat building offers additional versatility and storage. This thoughtful interplay of materials, light, and layout ensures that Westview Cottage is not merely a structure but a living, breathing extension of its unique coastal setting, offering its inhabitants a profound connection to the unparalleled beauty of Dungeness.