Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture
03/04/2018.
[California] USA
metalocus, VANESA DEL OLMO
metalocus, VANESA DEL OLMO
The house, like a glass box, floats at the foot of the mountains of Santa Cruz, west of Silicon Valley, blending with nature.
Sunset view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Interior view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Sunset view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Garage view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Rooftop view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Exterior view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Exterior view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Entry level view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Staircase. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Staircase. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Interior view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Interior view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Sunken living room. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Sunken living room. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Kitchen. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Dinning room. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Interior view of the garage. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Entry level night view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Sunset view. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Photograph © Darren Bradley
Entry level plan. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Image courtesy of Craig Steely Architecture
Main level plan. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Image courtesy of Craig Steely Architecture
Section. Pam & Paul's House in Cupertino by Craig Steely Architecture. Image courtesy of Craig Steely Architecture
Craig Steely Architecture designs Pam & Paul's House, in Cupertino, California. The house is located on the border between the suburb and the desert and extends on both sides as if it were in the perfect place. The extension of the glass feels permeable and disappears only to let nature acquire its prominence in the grove.
A project with interesting interior tours and some surprising transparencies, making the house become the desired refuge, from which to observe nature.
Description of project by Craig Steely Architecture
The house floats in the canopy of a dense oak grove in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains just west of Silicon Valley.
The conceptual idea came clearly and quickly—float a glass box in the leaves of the trees on two trunk-like columns, disrupting as few oaks as possible. The dense tree canopy offers the opportunity to build a completely glass walled house, protected from the direct rays of the sun, yet filled with dappled sunlight.
A bridge of steel grating connects grade to the rooftop of native grasses. An observation deck sits in the grass field along with a garage/foyer of zinc panels and mirror glass. Sunlight funnels down through the foyer into the living level.
The main living area is cantilevered into the tree canopy while bedrooms, bathrooms, service and storage are located behind a long wall of cabinetry along the hillside. Distinct spaces (the living room, the office, and the kitchen) are delineated spatially in the open plan by sinking them into the concrete floor. These spaces are further delineated by material. In the sunken office, all surfaces— flooring, desk, cabinetry— are milled from a single slab of Chinese pistachio. The sunken living room is filled with 144 sq. ft. of B&B Italia’s “Tufty time” sofa components. In the kitchen/dining room a 22 ft. long counter of white composite quartz continues the kitchen work surface into the dining table. In the ceiling, flush mounted LED strips imply these zones. Strong geometric lines of light, reminiscent of a Dan Flavin sculpture, are clearly visible from the outside looking up through the leaves.
More information
Architects
Craig Steely. Craig Steely Architecture.
Project team
Luigi Silverman, Ryan Leidner, Toon Kantharoup, Anastasia Victor, Chris Talbott
Contractor
Forsythe General Contractors. www.forsythegc.com
Structural Engineer
Val Rabichev. www.optimaldesigngroup.com
Glazing
Bonelli Windows & Doors. www.bonelli.com
Date
Completed.- Jan. 2017
Location
Cupertino, California, EEUU
CRAIG STEELY
Craig Steely is principal of Craig Steely Architecture. Craig Steely is a California and Hawaii based architect. His buildings have been described as true and unique hybrids of these two environments. His work explores the boundaries of integration as well as emancipation from nature. They embrace the realities of the environment and our connection/separation to it over the subjugation of it, all the while focusing on developing a singular architecture rooted in its context. Active projects include work on the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui, as well as several along the coast of California — from Sea Ranch to San Francisco to Big Sur.
He received his architecture degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. His work has been awarded recognition by the American Institute of Architects and published widely in books and periodicals. In 2009 he was selected as an “Emerging Talent” by the AIA California Council. His office was chosen top firm in the 2013 Residential Architect Magazine leadership awards.
Act.- 06.04.2018
