Design Challenge:

‍The owners sought to restore a dying pond and transform their property into a recreational retreat for family and friends, with the pond as its central focus.

Physical Context:

‍Located in a rural Northern California neighborhood, the site is bordered by a vineyard on one side and surrounded by a natural oak forest, creating a serene and private setting.

Solution:

‍A thoughtfully designed campus of small, rustic structures and features was arranged around the restored pond. The site includes a cabaña, a wine-tank bathroom with an oak forest shower, a boathouse, and a bathroom building at Fisherman’s Point. Recreational amenities, including a sandy beach with a custom fire pit, bocce ball court, and beach volleyball area, complete the experience. The buildings, clad in weathered cedar siding, are unassuming and blend seamlessly into the natural environment.

Details:

‍Project completed by Jessie Whitesides, NCARB, Architect, while at Backen Gillam Architects

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