Honorable Mention: American Architecture Awards 2023
The Meander | Marin - California | 2021

Architects: S^A | Schwartz and Architecture
General Contractor: Fairweather & Assoociates
Client: Private
Images: Courtesy of the Architects

THE MEANDER Meandering rivers carved the coastal valleys surrounding this ridge-line site over millennia forming zig-zagging interlocking 'spurs', which draw your eye into the distance as they recede. This home's staggered forms continue these rhythms; the roof of each inspired by one element of the natural landscape. This project takes inspiration from the landscape forms of the meandering river valleys of the Marin California coastal ranges. Even when sensitively working in pristine sites, the architectural aim is not so much to hide or mimic, as to engage and enhance, the natural qualities at hand.

The building’s forms reference the valley below at three distinct scales. At the scale of the site, the home’s three staggered volumes extend the rhythm of the valley’s overlapping ‘spurs’, with the roof of each defined by a re-interpretation of one primary element of the natural landscape: reservoir, grassland, and rock-outcropping. At the scale of the home, the lower garage and bedroom wings frame the entry, creating another ‘valley’ space as if carved itself by the forces of an unseen river.

Although appearing as three separate structures in the landscape, a smooth wood-lined stairwell carves through the wings pinning them together physically, spatially, and materially at the interior scale. The project’s siting creates protected outdoor space and encourages meandering and exploratory movement over direct paths. The intent is to nestle the occupants within the building in ways that recall the forest and valley spaces of nature. The concrete and wood forms accept the natural weathering of this highly exposed site, blasted by sun and afternoon howling winds.

The home is entirely self-sustaining and off the grid. In this wild landscape, considerations of water, wind, fire, sun, thermal flow, eco-systems, and resource up cycling all strongly guided the design.