Atherton

The Atherton House is a substantial new-build family residence set within a secluded woodland site in Atherton, California. The project responds to a challenging plot defined by dense tree coverage, a natural stream, and significant level changes, while offering limited usable external space.

The client brief called for a large, contemporary home that maximised the potential of the site and created a strong architectural presence, while also taking advantage of secluded nature of the existing dwelling. The accommodation includes six bedrooms, formal and informal living and dining areas, and a basement level housing leisure facilities such as a cinema and games room. A key ambition was to establish a clear and dramatic sense of arrival through the front courtyard while creating a connection between the living spaces and the garden.

The design strategy reorients the house to face the approach, establishing a legible distinction between public and private realms. Entry is choreographed through a landscaped courtyard leading to a double-height entrance hall, with framed views extending through the house to the rear garden and pool. Internally, the layout balances formal entertaining spaces with more relaxed family areas, connected through carefully considered circulation.

Architecturally, the upper levels employ a lightweight timber framework to reduce the perceived mass of the building and integrate it into the wooded context. A series of terraces and elevated rooms enhance the connection to the surrounding tree canopy, creating a “treehouse” quality for private spaces.

Sustainability is embedded within the design, with a large flat roof accommodating solar panels to support energy demands, alongside systems for rainwater harvesting and electric vehicle charging.
The result is a distinctive, contemporary family home that combines spatial drama with environmental sensitivity, transforming a constrained site into a highly functional and visually impactful residence.