The clients, who had previously been living in Singapore, had moved to Palo Alto for the husband’s job. They’d purchased this site in the wine country with an eye towards building a weekend home. “It’s the archetypal vineyard site,” says architect Robert Swatt, “If you ever dreamed of a site in the wine country, this was it.” With 20 acres of pinot noir grapes, it’s also a working vineyard. “They wanted a very modern but easily maintainable home,” Swatt remembers.
Because the site is also a working vineyard, maintaining the family’s privacy was a concern. “They wanted a home that really celebrated the views and the site, but gave them privacy from the people working the site.” The main house and barn shared a common driveway. “We took the existing driveway and cut it so that one portion leads to the home and one leads to the barn and they don't connect. I think that was an important strategic decision.” That solved one aspect of the privacy issue; another was solved with the shape of the house. A “T” shape created two courtyards, one for the family which revolves around the pool. “That side of the building is almost one hundred percent glass, floor to ceiling, wall to wall. The other side is meant to be more protective and we devised a sort of window screen so you get light without directing the view in." This is the side of the house that faces the barn.
In the guest quarters, the bedroom is positioned to take advantage of the property’s spectacular views. Shades tucked into the ceiling offer privacy at night. Closet space and a bathroom are behind the bed.
The bridge that runs the length of the great room connects the master bedroom to the children’s bedrooms and the family room. “This is something we're seeing more and more lately: family rooms which are really for the family, often on the upper level.”
