DRY CREEK VALLEY, HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

Old Meets New Estate

This project represented a turning point for our firm as a premier commission.  We were brought in during the final year of construction of the home and charged with making sense of the exterior spaces, which beyond the locating of the home’s main structures had not been convincingly conceived. 

With commanding views over a nicely layered Dry Creek Valley landscape, we first developed an entry sequence that clearly delivers guests to the front door, eliminating confusion around the seven west facing portals.  Massive Olive Trees were imported to scale down the mass of the old world structure and talk back to its inherent strength. 

We then conceptually expanded the rear courtyard to incorporate an enormous Oak Tree and put it on stage as a sculptural element within the highly used garden and outdoor living space. 

Low muscular walls with exquisite masonry stand up to the two story stone building and create inviting places to linger. 

A modern reflecting pool bridges over to the new world addition of the home; this story of ‘old meets new’ was considered with every material choice and the construction of each element.

 The swimming pool hangs over the edge of the vineyards and a small overlook seating area naturally emerged in a previously utilized location with the same use unbeknownst to me.

Landscape: Monsoon and Dexter Estate Landscapes Masonry: Edwin Hamilton Stoneworks Home Design: Julian Cohen Interior Design: Jute Builder: Monsoon Construction Photography: Marion Brenner