Our clients demanded 5 things:

1. Modern, progressive design.
2. Ultra sustainable.
3. House designed for specific art collection.
4. Separate private quarters for extended family.
5. Privacy from street.

Modern, progressive design – utilized state of the art building systems and techniques such as rain screens and tilt-up concrete, to achieve crisp, modern, light-filled spaces but rendered with raw, earth-toned substantial materials to provide warmth, comfort, and integration of the building with the land.

Ultra sustainable – 100% solar electric and passive solar, ventilated building wall system, 5,000 gallon cistern, passive building design, radiant floor heat, permeable surfaces throughout, drought tolerant plantings, etc. as a ‘Legacy’ for their children and grandchildren.

Museum for living – house designed around extensive art and glass sculpture collection. Early design stages included developing the architecture to ensure that all art was well integrated into the house fabric. High volumes, north light, special moments for specific pieces and a neutral interior canvas to exhibit art.

Extended family – 3 bedroom, self-contained suite located at opposite end of the house from Master Suite and a half level above ensures complete separation and takes advantage of the sloped site by developing a split level to help keep the building profile low.

Privacy – limited openings to street, with high north facing clerestory windows framing views of eucalyptus trees, combined with large, stepped building setback from street provides sense of privacy while the earthen, concrete walls help ground the building to the site.

Established in 1990, Ferguson-Ettinger Architects, Inc, Is a husband and wife partnership. Each project is site sensitive, whether urban or rural, drawing inspiration from its immediate context and our commitment to sustainable architecture. Our projects are diverse-residential, commercial, and institutional and are firmly bound to our desire to form a seamless and harmonious relationship with the land.

Each project is unique, forging together the use of indigenous and raw materials with rigorous attention to detail to create modern, yet tactile and light-filled spaces. We practice restraint and form true collaborations with our clients, allowing our design philosophy to evolve. We are involved in all stages of design and building to ensure that our projects are realized to their fullest potential

Ferguson and Ettinger Architects
Ph. 805 899 9171