2019 Silicon Valley Modern Home Tour

Design Objectives: Maximize views of the Western Costal Range and the Eastern bay view. B) Preserve natural characteristics of site, C) Create private and free flowing public zones to accommodate multiple family functions. D) utilizing sustainable principles throughout the design while protecting from the extreme western exposure.

‘Design Program: The Wang Residence is sited and oriented towards the costal range and Windy Hill views. The location’s sprawling and natural oak tree environment lends itself to the elevated home design taking full advantage of this stunning site views. To ensure that the views were incorporated throughout the home, the design lent itself to an open design. The entry was thoughtfully placed between the first and second floors allowing for a gradual almost undetectable rise in elevation as you enter the house. The half flight of steps leading from the main entry allows for the dramatic panoramic views to unfold gradually and bringing your eyes and focus to the views beyond.

The open living room, and circulation spaces with expansive floor to ceiling double height windows, serves as the core of the home. Pointed views of the distant coastal range and sprawling property on one side and the valley and bay views framed in the adjacent dining room, the living area of this home embraces you into the beauty of its surroundings. Many of the unique qualities of this home are evident in this space from the use of finishes to the articulation of the ceiling and walls. Utilizing terrazzo tile flooring, western cedar plank ceiling panels interplay with walnut clad beams (for texture and acoustics) and limestone tile, finishes were selected for their ability to translate to outdoor use, reinforcing indoor/outdoor connection.

This connection is even more striking in the adjacent kitchen, which features a twenty-two-foot nana wall along the entire length of the room allowing for the stunning outdoors to easily be brought indoors. Cedar planking extends from the kitchen to the open deck to create one large covered space.

The planking creates an interior soffit that provides shade and accommodates recessed electrical and lighting without disrupting the ceiling plane. The kitchen features a large 10.5 feet recycled quartz island with waterfall edge, both functional and low maintenance. Custom bleached walnut cabinets with accent detailing are both modern and timeless and are used in the kitchen and throughout the home, along with walnut flooring for continuity.

Sustainable Principles: The sustainable principles of the home were implemented by using a heavily recycled insulated thermal envelope, giving the home lower energy demands. Solar orientation of the home allows for photovoltaic panels that give the home a 100% of the home’s energy. In addition, the Wang residence employs energy efficient lighting, automated shades, and a 98% efficient mechanical split heating system. Furthermore, having the bottom half of home set into the cool earth allowed for stack ventilation to be implemented by passively drawing the cool air from below to upper floor areas. The home was certified by HERS II and Build it Green. The Wang residence scored well over the required 50 points with Build it Green, scoring 181 total points for their sustainable design.