Arboreal House

Arboreal House | Lake Tahoe, California, USA
[MacCracken Robinson Architects]

Our introduction to the Tahoe site was in late winter on a clear sunny day with filtered light and long shadows through snow laden fir and pine bows. It made a strong impression, stored for future considerations but the impetus for design came soon after the spring snow melt. A powerful sense of horizontal layering of vegetation and various stages of decomposing downed timber on the two-acre site, juxtaposed with pine and fir trees and dense canopy of the surrounding forest. The site is located near the historic 1960 Olympic Nordic track and situated on the edge of a wetlands and seasonal stream.

The homeowners were previous clients and dreamt of having a retreat in the Sierras away from their home base in Berkeley California. Skiers, bike riders, hikers and boaters, they found the ideal central location for their home base near Lake Tahoe.

The home is organized as a series of linked spaces, each of which provide a unique sensory experience and connection to different parts of the site, both vertically and horizontally. The design includes extensive use of glass to create a true indoor/outdoor connection and maximize natural light. At the center of the site are two large fir trees, which the building respectfully wraps around in an L shape to create a focal point in the landscaped courtyard.

An intentionally muted yet refined palette of natural materials including cedar, oak, fir, and steel are used to harmoniously blend with the surroundings. The construction includes advanced details such as thermally broken steel beams supporting layered roof planes engineered to hold snow rather than shed it. Designed to resist significant load, we chose to expose the steel structure as a recurring element in the interior spaces. The resulting columns and support beams contribute to the familiar design aspects in each room and provide a better understanding of how the building was constructed. The second floor features cantilevered volumes that reach out into the nearby evergreen limbs, likening the experience to being in a tree house. The house incorporates features such as radiant heating, solar panels, and operable windows for passive cooling. Fire safety measures include the use of naturally fire-resistant materials, a Class A roof construction, sprinklers and drought-tolerant landscaping beyond the defensible space. Text description by the architects.