Arboreal House

Overview

The setting, with its layers of vegetation and downed timber, influenced the home’s design to incorporate natural layering. Close to the wetlands and seasonal streams, this two-acre site offers a retreat immersed in nature.

Client background

The homeowners, previous clients in Berkeley, California, sought a central base for their outdoor activities, including skiing, biking, hiking, and boating. The serene Lake Tahoe location provided the perfect backdrop for their Sierra Nevada retreat.

Design & layout

The home is designed as a series of connected spaces, each capturing a unique view of the landscape, creating both vertical and horizontal relationships with the site. Glass walls maximize natural light and enhance the indoor-outdoor connection. Central to the home are two mature fir trees around which the building is thoughtfully wrapped in an L shape to create a courtyard.

Materials & construction

The Arboreal House uses a refined palette of sustainable, natural materials: cedar, oak, fir, and steel, which blend with the environment. Thermally broken steel beams support layered roof planes engineered for snow loads. The exposed steel structure within the interior offers a recurring design element and insight into the home’s construction.

Unique features

Second floor: Cantilevered spaces reach toward the evergreen canopy, creating a treehouse-like atmosphere.

Sustainable design elements: Radiant heating, solar panels, and passive cooling with operable windows.

Fire safety: Fire-resistant materials, Class A roof, sprinklers, and drought-tolerant landscaping beyond defensible space.

Materials used

Clear Western Red Cedar
Rift & Quarter Sawn White Oak
Vertical Grain Fir
Blackened Hot Rolled Steel

The Arboreal House is a testament to thoughtful, sustainable design, connecting residents with nature at every turn.