Butterfly House

Upon emerging from a cluster of oaks to a beautiful meadow and views beyond, the clients imagined butterflies landing delicately on the site within the Santa Lucia Preserve.  Taking the clients' vision as inspiration, the program was divided into 3 smaller pavilions which land lightly on the site and are capped by expressive butterfly roofs.

Each pavilion takes on a separate function; the central pavilion houses the main living, dining, and cooking.  Separated by the main space, two private pavilions provide the clients and their visitors' space for sleeping, bathing, and relaxing. Nestled gently on the land, the pavilions are modest in square footage, but each expands into outdoor rooms which open up to dramatic views of the canyon below and hills beyond.

Going beyond poetic gesture, the butterfly roofs also harvest rainwater - a scarce commodity throughout northern California. Water is celebrated in many moments throughout the design, including a water slide at the common area and scuppers for the sleeping pavilions. Working with Bernard Trainor + Associates, the pavilions have been sited carefully to allow water to flow under the office bridge and for stormwater to seep slowly into the ground in the main courtyard. Once harvested, the water will be stored in water cisterns and used to passively irrigate the landscape.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Bernard Trainor + Associates
ENGINEER: Fulcrum Structural Engineering
LIGHTING DESIGN: Kim Cladas Lighting Design
ENERGY CONSULTANT: Gabel Associates