Becalm, a quiet respite.

Becalm, a modern interpretation of a Tuscan village, gently rests on

a sloping thirty-two acre plot in California’s wine country. Spacious

exterior and interior spaces, breathtaking views of Napa’s

vineyards, and unique aromas blur the distinction between the indoor

and outdoors, and characterize the perfect environment for the

homeowners to retreat to a calm and peaceful environment.

Category:Subcategory: Completion Date: Budget: Location:

ArchitectureSingle Family ResidentialFebruary 2015WithheldNapa, California

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Project Narrative

Nestled on a sloping thirty-two acre plot in California’s wine country, lies Becalm, a ridge top residence with spectacular curves that remind the viewer of a motionless sail. The house’s specific site was chosen for its potential of maximizing airflow and minimizing site impact. Multiple spectacular 270° views are offered that showcase the rolling hills that characterize Napa Valley. Every room is highlighted with special views and invigorating aromas of eucalyptus, rosemary, bay leaves, and morning moisture from the valleys below.

From the start of the project, homeowners Ingrid and Troy wanted to thoroughly embrace their natural surroundings. The house invites the beauty of the nature inside, creating a seamlessly inviting indoor/outdoor space. The polished concrete floor reflects the focal oak tree that resides right outside of the residence. Operable floor to ceiling glass walls cover more than 80% of the southern façade, ensuring maximum ventilation, use of the sun’s natural light, incredible views, and the blending of inside and outside.

The homeowners were also interested in the utilization of the path of the sun throughout the house using passive solar design. Beginning each day, the couple enjoys getting up early in the morning and welcoming the crisp morning light. Large windows in the master bedroom and bathroom allow for the couple to become energized by the early morning sun.

The unique curved walls reflect the Orion constellation, an astronomy reference that has always fascinated Ingrid. Deep burgundy walls and light stone offset each other to create natural warmth and interesting points of conversation throughout. Inspired by opposites such as fire and water, light and dark, inside and outside, “Becalm” strikes a balance with its distinctive material and color choice.

The approach towards sustainability was first realized by constructing the residence on the top of the hill. With the hilltop setting, the residence could utilize the maximum amount of sun and wind to provide passive heating and natural air ventilation. The project team also made sure that the existing vegetation was not disturbed. Instead, it was embraced by the design: Drought resistant and regionally specific vegetation were selected to compliment the climate. The smart home utilizes state-of-the-art technological innovation to monitor and adjust the settings of the home such as temperature, energy use, water, and security to create a comfortable environment. Being thoughtful of the high fire risk that a home on a ridge can have, the home is finished with all non-combustible exterior finishes, and brush lines are held past 100 feet. The house is 100% fire sprinkled and its pool is used as a natural source of water for fire protection.

The natural colors of the materials work to showcase the client’s passion for art articulated in the residence’s bright colors, unique light fixtures, furniture, and artwork. Spacious indoor and outdoor spaces and breathtaking views allow for the perfect environment for the homeowners to escape from the city and retreat to a calm and peaceful environment.

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Sustainability Objectives

From the beginning stages of this design project, sustainable strategies have always been designated as one of the top priorities to achieve. The use of multiple environmentally conscious factors eventually led to the ultimate healthy and comfortable living environment. The efforts towards achieving sustainability can be broken down into the following: Passive design, Materials, Energy, and Water.

Passive Design• Utilizes the path of the sun to maximize natural sunlight• Long east to west axis promotes natural ventilation and maximizes southern sun exposure• Deep overhangs on southern facade allow natural shading and cooling• Large operable windows and doors creates optimizes air flow

Materials• Locally reclaimed wood accents and furnishings• FSC certified materials• Low VOC paints and sealants• Environmentally conscious construction techniques - Did not disturb previous vegetation and removed little dirt

from the site. Any dirt removed was later used for infill along the 1600 ft long drive approach from the site.

Energy• Real-time information from a smart house monitoring system can be accessed via cell phone apps to monitor and

adjust temperature, lights, air conditioning, sprinklers, appliances, and electronics according to the weather. • Energy efficient appliances in bathrooms and kitchen• Dimmable LED lights throughout• Light colored pool covering reflects sunlight, minimizing excessive heat

Water• Use of drought-resistant plants that require little to no water - Agave, Hesperaloe, Phormium Maori Queen,

Festuca glauca, Liriope, Hosta, Dianella, Lavandula, Echium, Leonotis, Lagerstroemia, Arbutus unedo, Continus Coggygria, etc.

• Navien condensing tankless water heaters use significantly less gas and emits lower levels of CO and NOx than the conventional water heater (Energy Star, NSF, SP, and AHRI certified)

• Low-flush toilets (1.28 GPF)• Water efficient drip system delivers the precise amount of water to each plant and reduces water evaporation• Locally sourced granite specified as mulch to reduce water evaporation• Water is sourced on site via a water well and storage tanks

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Efficient Design Metrics Worksheet

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Native and drought-resistant vegetation compliments micro-climate, soil, and sun exposure. Provides shade and reduces reflective heat.

Reflective single plate roof over tapered rigid insulation

Multiple rain chains collect rainwater

Deep overhangs on the southernfacade provideshade

Site at top of hill chosen to minimize site impact

Thermal mass masonry wall

Locally sourced decomposed granite used to reduce water evaporation and provide a permeable surface.

Water efficient drip system tailored to deliver the precise amount of water required by individual plants and reduces evaporative loss

Summer sun:Solar design blocks out the direct sun in the summer for passive cooling.

Winter sun:Solar design maximizes the winter sun entering the space for natural heating.

Virtually untouched land

Path of natural ventilation

Sustainability Diagram: East-West Section

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Low VOC paints, sealers,

and primers minimizes

toxins

Dimmable LED lights

throughout reduce energy

Kitchen:Reclaimed woodaccents and furnishings and Energy Star Appliances

Operable floor to ceiling windows encourage maximum sunlight and natural

Thermal mass exposed concretefloors

Smart house technology: Mobile access to security warnings, smoke and CO warnings, water leaks, and lights. Thermostat, sprinklers, and air conditioning adjusts to weather automatically.

Master Bath:Low-flush

toilets, low-flow shower heads, large windows to

maximize views and

daylight

Thermal mass masonrywall promotes product transparency

Dual glazed, low “E”, U.V.

tinted, glazing covers

80% of the southern

facade, maximizing

southern sun

Operable window at the top of the stairs

encouragesheat to escape

Roof designed

with specific pitch to

maximize solar

collection

Sustainability Diagram: North-South Section

Homeowner Ingrid has always been fascinated by astronomy and wanted the house’s design to reflect her unique interests. The schematic shape of the floor plan is directly inspired by Orion, Ingrid’s favorite constellation and one of the most prominent constellations that can be seen around the world. Orion’s shield, the right most arc, translates into the curve of the main house. Orion’s sword, the adjacent arc, refers to the opposing smaller curve of the guest house.

a. Orion constellation b. Lines extracted c. Floor plan

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Color Inspiration

The bold choice of colors throughout was inspired by the homeowner’s vision of bringing the colors of nature inside the home. The burnt sienna color of the main curved wall mimics that of the manzanita tree’s bark. Apricot and indigo walls found in the master bedroom emulate the colors seen during a Napa sunset.

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Inside/Outside

“I cannot describe the feeling except that the inside/outside spaces flow very comfortably to me. In any room in which I am sitting, the colors and views seem natural to the surroundings.”

-Ingrid, Homeowner

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