Saratoga, California USA

Category:            Private Homes
Year:                2022
Architects:          Swatt + Partners
Design Team:         Robert Swatt, Ivan Olds, and Lars Nilsson 
Landscape Architects: Huettl Landscape Architecture 
General Contractor:  Lencioni Construction Company 
Client:              Private
Photographers:       Matthew Millman 

After initial design studies proved that a remodel to the existing house would not result in the simple and minimalist detailing that the owners desired, the Mehta house is a new single-story house that stretches out to its site. The property is a private and relatively flat ½ acre parcel surrounded by mature oaks and redwoods and a seasonal creek to the west.

Entered from the East, the design strategy is a simply organized H-shaped plan; the central Great Room with clearstory windows is flanked by the Kitchen and Family Room on the south, and the Bedrooms to the north. These wings reach toward and engage the pool and trellised terrace. The intersection point of the Great Room and Kitchen dissolves into an open corner that brings the pool terrace within and functionally increases the apparent size of the house. The trellised outdoor room adjacent to the great room includes a fireplace for year-round outdoor entertaining.

The materials are stark and minimal; the white cement plaster walls and terrazzo flooring are complemented by Western Red Cedar siding, ceilings and screen walls. Floor-to-ceiling glass and large aluminum frameless sliding doors open wide to the outdoors beyond.