Our work begins with the land itself. Instead of imposing a design, we listen to the site—its topography, trees, breezes, light, and views—and let those elements guide the architecture. The result is a home that feels rooted in its surroundings, not set apart from them.

We study the land carefully before making any decisions. That might mean orienting a home to follow the slope of a hillside, weaving rooms between existing trees, or lifting structures lightly above the ground. The goal is always to let the architecture complement the landscape, rather than dominate it.

Yes—nature is our primary design partner. We often borrow patterns, rhythms, and proportions from the natural world. A row of parallel walls may echo the rhythm of a grove of trees, while a roofline might respond to a ridge or horizon. These choices ensure that the home feels like it belongs to its place.

Yes—many of our projects were born directly from listening to the site. For instance, one home was designed around existing oak trees, with pavilions threaded between them so that not a single tree was removed. You can see this in our Forty-One Oaks project.

We believe modern design and nature don’t have to be at odds. Clean lines and contemporary details can heighten the experience of a landscape. By using natural materials and simple forms, we create a quiet backdrop where nature takes center stage.

We choose materials that reflect and respect the site—stone from nearby quarries, regionally appropriate woods, and finishes that weather gracefully over time. The palette is intentionally restrained so the surrounding environment provides the color, texture, and drama.

Siting is one of the most important steps in our process. We spend time walking the land, noticing where the sun moves, where breezes flow, and where views open up. These observations determine where the home will feel most natural and connected.

Sustainability is at the core of how we approach design. For us, it’s not a checklist but an ethic of care for both people and place. In practice, this means designing homes that work with their environment rather than against it. We carefully study natural light, wind patterns, and seasonal shifts so that a house can be naturally lit and ventilated, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. We select regionally appropriate materials—stone, wood, and finishes that age gracefully—so the home feels grounded in its setting while minimizing environmental impact.

Sustainability also extends to how we site a home: by preserving trees, working with the slope of the land, and respecting existing ecosystems, we create places that feel inevitable and timeless. For us, sustainable design isn’t just a checklist—it’s an ethic of care that ensures each modern estate or high-end custom residence is both resilient and deeply connected to its surroundings.

We collaborate closely with other designers. A landscape architect helps ensure that gardens and outdoor spaces are as thoughtfully integrated as the house itself, while interior designers bring warmth and detail inside. Together, the team creates a seamless experience of living in dialogue with nature.

Yes — our work has been honored many times, both nationally and internationally. For instance:

·      Madrone Ridge won the 2024 Housing Award from the American Institute of Architects (National) and was a Residential Jury Winner in the 2024 Architizer A+ Awards.

·      Kol Emeth earned multiple awards in 2022, including the LIT Design Award, and both the California and San Francisco chapters of AIA Architecture Merit Awards.

·      Projects like Pinon Ranch, Dawnridge, Sentinel Ridge, and Forty-One Oaks have also received significant recognition through various AIA Honor and Merit Awards over the years, both from local chapters and at the state level. 

It is an honor to be recognized by our peers, and these awards affirm that we are putting thoughtful, lasting buildings on the earth—projects that respect their landscapes and contribute something meaningful to the places they inhabit.

Our practice is based in California, but our approach is rooted in listening to the land—a philosophy that translates across geographies. Most of our custom residential projects are located throughout the Bay Area, Wine Country, and along the California coast, though we have also completed projects in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. and abroad. 

Because each site is unique, we travel to understand its climate, ecology, and culture firsthand. Whether it’s a hillside estate in Northern California, a coastal retreat, or a residence set in a desert landscape, our goal is always the same: to create sustainable high-end homes that belong deeply to their surroundings.

We’re most inspired by projects where the land itself plays an active role in shaping the design. That might be a hillside covered in native oaks, a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific, or a desert plateau where light and shadow become building materials. What excites us is not a particular style of home, but the opportunity to design in dialogue with a specific place.

We love working on custom residential projects where clients share this respect for nature—homes that are meant to feel inevitable in their setting rather than imposed upon it. Whether it’s a modern estate, a sustainable retreat, or a family home that weaves between trees, the landscapes that interest us most are the ones that teach us something new every time we visit.