Mork Ulnes Architects

Frame House in Sonoma

Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte

FRAME HOUSE IN SONOMA

Mork-Ulnes Architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Bruce Damonte

SHORT FILM
Juan Benavides

LIGHTING DESIGNER
Tucci Lightin

MANUFACTURERS
ASN Natural Stone, Antonio Lupi, Caesarstone, Doug Mockett & Company, Duravit, Graff, Miele, Nameeks, Omnia Industries, B&L Glass, Curtis & Sons Door, Deltana, Mueller Nicholls, Partners Contracting, Premier Bath and Kitchen, Quantum Windows, SIKA waterproofing, Subzero, Windows & Doors, Wolf

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Surfacedesign, Roderick Wyllie, Michal Kapitulnik

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
ZFA Structural Engineers, Kevin Zucco, Drew Fagent

INTERIOR DESIGN
The Office Of Charles De Lisle.

GEOTECHINAL ENGINEER
RGH Consultants, Jared Pratt

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Nordby Signature Homes

CIVIL ENGINEER
Adobe Associates Inc, Tim Schram

AREA
4000 ft²

SEPTIC ENGINEERING
Adobe Associates Inc., Greg Schram

SITE SIZE
18.43 acres (75,000 sqm)

BUILDING FOOTPRINT
3,680 sqf (340 sqm)

TOTAL CONDITIONED AREA
4,065 sqf (380 sqm)

LOCATION
United States

CATEGORY
Houses

YEAR
2021

Text description provided by architect.

A concrete framework establishes the structure and rhythm of Frame House, a residence atop a hill in the Sonoma countryside. Rooted on a plateau above a forested canyon and vineyards, this structural grid maximizes the connection between the inside and out, allowing for natural light and direct access to the exterior from almost every room in the house.

Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte
Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte
Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte

The loggia, which wraps three sides of the house’s perimeter, shades the living spaces below and provides access to expansive views from the second-level decks.

The materials of the house are organic and rustic in their appearance and tactility while providing resilience against the threat of the wildfires which have become prevalent in the Sonoma valley and damaged the previous residence on the site.

To protect the new home, concrete shear walls are clad in a sacrificial layer of greying wood siding between the columns, which also organizes the interior spaces.

Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte
Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte

This rigorous concrete framework creates a perch from which to take in the vistas of the property and beyond.

In contrast to the exterior of the house, clad in fire-proof armor, the warm interiors are lined in Douglas Fir. The house has an extroverted relationship to the surrounding landscape, connecting the interior in almost every room to the California climate.

Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte
Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte

On the inside, the home is organized around a double-height space over the kitchen that connects the two levels and is punctuated by a floating catwalk leading to the two-bedroom wings upstairs.

The program of the house contains 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a media room, and a great room in 4,000 square feet, with interior furnishings curated by The Office of Charles de Lisle.

Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte
Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte

The 18-acre property includes a 3 bedroom, 3 bath all concrete guesthouse also designed by Mork-Ulnes Architects and with an interior by Charles de Lisle. The garden, vegetable beds, and pool were designed by Surface Design.


Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte
Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte
Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte
Frame House in Sonoma
© Bruce Damonte


Frame House in Sonoma
South Elevation
Frame House in Sonoma
West Elevation
Frame House in Sonoma
East Elevation
Frame House in Sonoma
North Elevation


Frame House in Sonoma
Cross Section 1
Frame House in Sonoma
Cross Section 2


Frame House in Sonoma
Longitudinal Section
Frame House in Sonoma
Plan - Second Floor
Frame House in Sonoma
Plan - Ground Floor
Frame House in Sonoma
Site Plan


Frame House in Sonoma
Axonometric Diagram

Mork Ulnes Architects
T +1 415 2821437
Mork Ulnes Architects
1045 Sansome St #402, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States