
Set quietly within the vineyard landscape of Napa, the Sanctuary detached accessory building provides an oasis for its owners whose main house is nearby. The five small structures that make up the retreat are connected by a series of pathways and covered terraces. Its arrangement is inspired by the interconnectedness of traditional stone cairns.

Anchored around two plunge pools, the flat-roofed structures house a changing area, a steam room, a massage space, and a caretaker’s suite. Massage tables align with a relaxation terrace along one axis, and an outdoor shower runs parallel with a fountain on the other. The water features of the Sanctuary were designed using high-efficiency pumps that minimize energy use. The main house’s large existing solar system was augmented with additional arrays to power the new retreat.

Wrapped in vertical cedar siding stained a custom shade of soft gray, the project’s exterior tone was chosen to imitate clay from a nearby creek bed. Its vertically oriented board-formed concrete blends into the existing landscape to keep the retreat simple and serene, while 5-foot surrounding walls provide equal amounts privacy and openness. The slatted shade structure near the adjacent tennis court is designed with a similar aesthetic.
Project Details
Award: Grand
Category: Accessory Building / Outdoor Spaces
Architect: Signum Architecture
Builder: Westwind Construction
Location: Napa, California
Size: 1,000 square feet