Hillside Retreat
This amazing and challenging site is located at the hillside of Hillsborough overlooking the SF bay, having magnificent views from 3 sides of the site.
The original existing house was not connecting the location and the site with all the amazing views all around. The owners were very involved in the design, and we received plenty of feedback from everyone, including the kids and the dog.
The site is just below the crest of a hill, and there are magnificent views in 3 directions. The owner’s main desire was to take advantage of the view, and the house was designed to do that. We put a sketchup model into google earth and modeled the views from all the main rooms. This of course included the Master Bedroom, master bath and all the living spaces.
Also, we made sure the view was magnificent from the stairs and hallways and even the basement playroom has an amazing view of Mount Diablo across the bay.
It was also important to make the house fun for both kids and adults, and in addition to the Hot Tub, fire-pit, the beer tap and the water slide, there is also an actual tree in one of the bedrooms with a hammock hanging from it, and a secret passage with a slide into the basement playroom.
Design constraint wise, the steep slope of the lot was a challenge and an opportunity. We responded by putting outdoor space on all three levels, with a water slide connecting the Hot tub at the main living level with the pool at the lower level 12 feet below.
We provided privacy for the master suite, while keeping the plan open, by placing it alone on its own floor level with views completely open on all 3 sides.