Yorkville Vineyard

A horticultural couple had owned a picturesque 40-acre vineyard in Mendocino County since the 1980s. They always wanted to build a house on the property, but it wasn't until another family offered to go in with them that the project was realized. A getaway for all became the goal.

For this ground-up project, a more ideal location could not have existed. The area was secluded and naturally beautiful, making it the perfect vacation home. However, the challenge became, how does one house accommodate the needs of two separate families? Our solution, two equitably divided private wings, over ample shared public spaces that allow for moments of community, bridged with a two-story window system. The front door was purposely located in the hollow between the back wall of the house and the steep slope behind. With this approach, guests first experience the compression of the hill and the nearness of it and are then released into the sweeping views of the landscape dropping away from the living room windows. 

The 2700 square foot house was designed to feel like a modern agrarian building, with board and batten on the outside, and natural materials on the inside that complements the surrounding beauty. Each wing of the upper house was optimized to share the surrounding view and best suit the individual families' needs.

Downstairs, a large modern kitchen and living room are focused on the vineyard, while exposed hardware and beams running across the ceiling add to the atmosphere. Integrated seating is found under the stair and adjacent to the fireplace double as beds, so that friendly visitors have the chance to stay the night in the isolated locale. Storage and workspace are built into the back of the living room wall. 

Wood-burning stoves are allowed in this unincorporated area, and one sits showcased in front of the window system, to provide a centrally located backup heating source. The chimney is an architectural feature that will radiate heat at both levels of the home. A second workspace is built as a command center on the second-floor landing, to enjoy both the warmth and the views while tackling work or reading a book.