Heavy Timber

The original structure on the 3 acre property was a large party hall built by one of the engineers of the Golden Gate Bridge. This was expanded over the years with a bedroom wing creating a complete house. The project seen here included creating a new two-story wing on the opposite side of the original hall from the previous wing. The lower floor includes a large Great Room consisting of a library/lounge, curving bar, kitchen, and eating areas. The upper floor houses bedroom suites and a laundry.


The connecting portion of the original structure was reworked to provide a gracious entry at the upper floor with a wide S–shaped steel and hardwood stair and a glass and steel elevator to the main living spaces below. In reference to the site history, recycled cable from the Golden Gate Bridge for the stair balusters and elevator perimeter was appropriately used.


The scale of the building elements is large, appropriate to the 10,000+ s.f. structure. Heavy recycled timbers are incorporated throughout the house, and large stones are used in the great room fireplace surround.


Blackpoint, Novato, CA