Guitar House
Corte Madera, California
Coastal Mediterranean climate
Sutton Manor Creek Watershed
Corte Madera Creek watershed
imeless home built for a life of several hundred years.
This complex of four structures on the hilltop location of Bill Graham’s old compound (recycled for this project) nestled within mature trees overlooking one of the Bay Area’s most stunning 360 degree views.
Perhaps the finest rammed earth construction in the country, this home is a testament to an unusually dedicated collaboration between architects, builders and the vision of the owners.
Traditionally-formed rammed earth
Sprayed earth construction (pise’)
Passive solar, solar hot water
Photovoltaics with off-grid battery storage
Balanced natural daylighting
Natural ventilation – both cross and stack effect
Super-premium windows (Albertini)
Framing lumber either FSC certified or reclaimed
Hardwood floors milled from Tan Oak (clients supported small mills that salvaged this usually-discarded tree)
Nontoxic and recycled materials throughout
Radiant heated floors
Plumbing for both graywater and
wetlands water treatment options.
Electrical testing for electromagnetic fields (EMFs)
CREDITS
DAVE’S ROLE: PROJECT MANAGER AND DESIGN TEAM
ARCHITECTURAL FIRM: VAN DER RYN ARCHITECTS
CONTRACTOR: REDHORSE CONSTRUCTORS
STRUCTURAL: BRUCE KING
INGRAM DEJESSE
MECHANICAL: DAVIS ENERGY GROUP
CIVIL: CSW / STUBER-STROEH
AUDIO AND HOME THEATER: CHARLES SALTER AND ASSOCIATES
LIGHTING: ANNA KONDOLF
INTERIORS: AGNES BOURNE
JIM WEINBERG
WEINSTEIN GROUP
PHOTOS: REDHORSE ARCHIVES