- Wendy Young
- Executive Director
- AIA Redwood Empire
- P.O. Box 4178
- Santa Rosa Ca 95402
- exec@aiare.org
- 707-838-2672
Sunbreak Studio
(#220, Small Project)
Our client sought a utilitarian structure with a frontal terrace as an art studio and office space with a budget of $200 per square foot. The structure is situated on a southfacing hillside east of the client’s main residence and overlooks the Russian River Valley.
An exposed retaining wall and shaded southern openings became central building features due to esthetics, passive cooling concerns, siting restrictions and the terrace requirement. Industrial tectonics and exposed structural materials contributed to the design. Infrastructure was left visible and arranged neatly in the ceiling-scape to enhance the utilitarian feel of the domestic environment. The result is an open and airy light-filled space that maximizes views, utilizes an environmentally friendly natural cooling system, and satisfies the esthetic and programmatic desires of the client.