Pine Flat

Remotely accessed via a former stagecoach road north-east of Healdsburg, California, the 2019 Kincade Fire destroyed the original off-grid house.

The project was developed with key aims that included a durable, low maintenance, long-lifecycle, wildfire-resilient house. Robust materials, a fire-resistive shell, sliding ember screens, and exterior sprinklers above decks mitigate this concern.

Reuse of existing foundation and walls for 90% of the project’s concrete retained embodied energy and limited additional excavation. A rectangular shed form inhabits the old angular foundation. Like stepping on a leaf, portions extending beyond the outline of the new rectangle are utilized for a sculptural entry step as well as a glazed light well. The preserved foundation is half buried into the hillside, juxtaposed with the outstretched protective structure elevated above. The simple form parallels the direction of the ridgeline, existing as a quiet presence in the wildland landscape. A new concrete chimney mass anchors the main floor and acts as thermal mass for the EPA certified wood stove. The artesian water basin fosters a visual and poetic dialogue to honor the site’s spring water.

The off-grid site utilities support a home that embraces passive survivability. Spring-fed wells provide all water usage including a dedicated tank for the fire hydrant and sprinkler system. The concrete basin captures water after it is harnessed by a Pelton wheel for supplementary hydroelectric power, offering a continually refreshed basin for cooling dips.

This project exemplifies how residential architecture can transcend aesthetic considerations. The house is a tool for living shaped by the needs of the site.

Awards:
AIA CA 2025 Merit Residential Design Award
AIA SF 2025 Honor Design Award