Offering panoramic views of surrounding vineyards, Three Gables is set on a hilltop with a triad of structures mimicking traditional farm building clusters throughout Napa Valley. After a wildfire destroyed the original project mid-construction, the family set out determined to rebuild a resilient home inspired by Welsh countrysides.
“It’s a phenomenon that each room of the home captures and frames a separate quality of the site, some quite vast, others quite intimate. Ultimately, it’s the connection to the adjoining landscape that makes the home sing,” says Joshua Aidlin of San Francisco–based Aidlin Darling Design.
Composed of concrete and steel, the home’s exterior palette is inherently fire-resistant. Its base and the majority of its walls are made of finely crafted board-formed concrete. The standing-seam metal gabled roofs shed rainwater and can deflect sparks blown in from potential distant fires as well.
The massing of the home creates shaded spaces that allow the homeowners to connect with nature comfortably throughout the day. Robust spray-foam insulation, high-performance glazing, and the thermal mass of concrete walls buffer the house from extreme heat, while large sliding glass doors and several operable windows capture breezes from the east to passively cool the home. Thermally broken windows and doors and zoned, localized radiant heating and cooling systems increase energy savings. Operable exterior shades and a retractable awning help keep west-facing glass out of the sun.
Each of the three gabled structures houses a family member’s study, providing them with secluded spaces, while the living room and dining room encourage togetherness. The kitchen, where the family enjoys preparing and plating fresh food, welcomes the clients’ passion for farm-to-table dining. “To have designed the highly ergonomic ‘cooking cockpit’ that spills out to a dining room with remarkable views of the surrounding vineyards and satisfies our clients’ desires is quite rewarding,” says Aidlin.
Meticulously crafted oak cabinets, floors, and ceilings complement the steel and concrete exterior. Custom steel, stainless steel, and bronze cabinetry dots the otherwise minimalist interiors, functioning as both storage and jewelry for the home.
