Mount Veeder Outpost

Text description provided by architect.

Situated amongst tall redwoods scarred from recent forest fires, perched on the side of Mount Veeder, the dwelling is nestled into the hillside overlooking Yountville and Stags Leap.

The outpost is traditionally a small camp positioned at the edge of the country or known parts of the hinterland.

Without thought, their choices emulated the stoic coastal redwoods that surrounded their house – charred exterior and soft warm, and light interior.

The project consists of a two-story cube with a parabolic roof and an off-center entry courtyard that is reflective of the house they spent most of their life in and is a representation of how the fire burned their property.

The hard edges of the architecture are meant to be in unison with the vertical grain of the Coastal Redwoods, with small meadows beneath and surrounding its base.

Coming up a steep and winding driveway, the geometry of the facade is designed to guide the eye to the front door and view beyond.

The Living room is designed so that when one stands or sits inside the space, the ceiling is not perceived in one’s peripheral vision, therefore making it seem as if you are in that outpost at the edge of the forest, there to enjoy the beauty of the hawks soaring above the vineyards below and the surrounding forest.

There are two-bedroom suites that are nestled into the northwest corners of the house and are tucked away in such a way that one discovers their presence almost by accident.

A thin steel awning that sings in the rain is placed above the glass entry door and as you enter the house, you are immediately greeted with a wall of glass that seems to go to the top of the redwoods some several hundred feet above the house.

Although an almost perfect square in plan, the 30’ tall glazing is arranged in such a way as to never allow direct sunlight into the main bedroom in the morning, and as there are no window coverings, the glazing becomes only a barrier between cold and hot.

When the sun crests the eastern ridge of the Napa Valley the light is filtered through redwoods and live oaks and creates different shadows on the interior.

The interior material is the same throughout, except in the bathrooms.The house is oriented with the living spaces on the view with a lofted Main bedroom.

The floors are reclaimed maple meant to gently contrast against the nautical grade plywood and unify the light and materials throughout.

The entrance awnings are a deep yellow designed to reflect light differently throughout the day, while not overpowering the house and becoming a thin signifier of entry.

The outpost is self-sustaining as an outpost should be, both in physical and emotional requirements. During a rain, they resonate like a tuning fork and remind the inhabitants of the importance of rain.