2019 AIA SF Small Firms, Great Projects
Posted onRoche+Roche is featured again in this year’s San Francisco AIA Small Firms, Great Projects publication.
The featured project is a recently completed residential estate overlooking the Sonoma Valley which was barely, and thankfully spared by the 2017 wildfires. The rural contemporary buildings designed by Michael Guthrie+Associates and constructed by Reiter Fine Home Builders are nestled on a small plateau on the west face of a rocky hillside. Where possible, existing rock outcroppings, native oaks and manzanitas were preserved, with gravel paths and trails winding through them. On the eastern entry side of the residence, a large gravel autocourt was designed to double as a casual pétanque court. Terraced in to the hillside is a vegetable garden with corten planters, a citrus hedge and native bee ‘condos’.
On the valley view side, a tranquil perimeter overflow pool captures the reflection of specimen olives and the blue skies over Sonoma Valley, with limestone paving and wood decking adjacent. Downslope of the pool, a custom curved steel wall nestled into the native Purple Needle Grass meadow provides shelter and seating at the salvaged steel fire pit.
This year’s issue, also features a brief ‘Landscape Trends’ article by Nancy and Dave Roche, with additional photos from built projects. The publication is available in a digital format here, and will also be available at all major offsite AIASF events.
