Walnut Farm Retreat

This family retreat is nestled amidst the grazing livestock of a thriving walnut farm in the Central Valley near the San Andreas fault.  The long and gently arching house is situated at the base of hills and responds to the curve of the contours, opening up to views of more distant hills to the east.  Light glass boxes contain the main living area and quietly frame views and open up to private outdoor living spaces.  The light-filled boxes are anchored by three massive rammed earth walls of vibrant color.  The palette of wood, glass, steel and concrete creates a modern compliment to the artisanal rammed earth walls with their bold undulating layers. 

A LEED Gold candidate, the house is designed to be carbon neutral.  It harnesses geothermal energy that feeds a radiant heating and cooling system.  The loads on the system are minimized through passive heating and cooling techniques: the thermal mass of concrete floors and rammed earth, overhanging roofs, and south-east facing glazing.  This all-electric house offsets its energy consumption with a photovoltaic system and the pool is heated with solar thermal panels.  Reclaimed siding, flooring and sustainably harvested woods can be found throughout the house.  The landscape around the house is planted with drought tolerant flora and native grasses. 

CONTRACTOR: Stocker & Allaire
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Bernard Trainor + Associates
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Yu Strandberg Engineering
MECHANICAL ENGINEER: Monterey Energy Group
RAMMED EARTH CONSULTANT: Benchmark Development

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