The AIDS research scientist lives in New York City but desired a place to escape to. After finding a site on rough terrain leading down to a ravine in Truckee, near Lake Tahoe, he turned to locally based Faulkner Architects. He didn’t want the boulders here to be touched and the architects designed the residence over or around all of the largest boulders dotted around the plot.
The low-slung Creek House is clad in concrete, wood, and dark panels – a sober palette that allows it to blend into its context. The main entrance is from the north, this provides privacy for the client, but also helps shade the interiors from the summer sunlight, which can be harsh.
Upon entering you’ll see some public areas that lead to wide-open private spaces, which isn’t usual: we are used to see small and enclosed private spaces. An open-plan kitchen, living, and dining room occupies the center of the home and overlooks the ravine below. A corridor follows the main concrete wall, leading to private quarters at either end of the longitudinal home.
In addition to the two full bedrooms, a partial lower level contains a meditation space that can be used as a sleeping area when required. Above the main volume of the house, a single room serves as a home office, but also acts as a clerestory window to bring light and air into the center of the building.
The home decor is contemporary, the furniture is simple and laconic, most of basic colors – black, grey, creamy, and just a couple of colorful accents like a red lamp.