A recently constructed hilltop residence in California embodies its surroundings and showcases the beauty of nature.
The Striking House of Horns: A Modern Masterpiece in California
The House of Horns, a contemporary residence nestled in the picturesque town of Los Altos Hills, California, is a testament to bold and innovative architectural design [1]. The brainchild of WOJR, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based architectural firm, the House of Horns stands out with its dramatic roofline, reminiscent of crests and troughs, that seamlessly integrates with the rugged California foothills [1].
The architects at WOJR have crafted a home that transcends the boundaries of traditional architecture, creating a world in itself [3]. Key architectural elements include a monolithic fireplace carved from Vermont Danby marble, serving as a defining sculptural element inside the home [2]. Another unique feature is an ovoid stone column, further blurring the lines between architecture and art, contributing to the house’s organic and tactile character [2].
The House of Horns boasts a cohesive design language, thanks to the integration of custom materials and finishes such as metalwork by Sun Valley Bronze and De Vincenzi, furniture by Kylle Sebree Studio, and a Henrybuilt kitchen [1]. The collaboration with specialized engineers and craftsmen, including Paragon Custom Builders (construction) and Monterey Energy Group (sustainability engineering), supports both the aesthetic boldness and functional performance of the home [1].
The ground floor of the House of Horns is set deep into the hillside due to substantial new excavations. This level houses a bedroom and office, sharing an external circular courtyard, along with utility spaces and a media room [4]. The primary bedroom, located at the end of the house, is separate from two identical ensuites [5]. The first floor, an open plan living and dining area, features varying topography of the roof [6].
The main entrance to the House of Horns can be found on the first floor, with the living area punctuated by large windows onto the newly landscaped garden [7]. The surrounding gardens have been restored to a wild state, carefully curated to blend with the house's forms and masses, the views from the windows, and the vegetation surrounding the courtyards [8].
The House of Horns' landscape was designed in collaboration with horticulturalist Jeff Kunkel of Greenstar [9]. The property features design elements such as elliptical roof vaults on the first floor and sculptural stone elements throughout the house [10]. Large marble elements, such as an ovoid column in the ground floor pool space and a fireplace at the center of the house, are key features of the property [11].
The lower level of the House of Horns offers three distinctive circular chambers, offering viewpoints and framing devices for the world beyond [12]. The courtyard spaces in the House of Horns are countersunk into the slope of the garden, marked out by swirling ribbons of railings [13].
Inside the House of Horns, the primary bedroom offers a generous closet and a palatial marble-lined bathroom with a substantial tub carved from dark stone [14]. The house's design elements, from its sculptural roof form to its experiential spatial design and artisanal details, collectively create a unique architectural presence that blends harmoniously with the California foothills setting [1][2][3].
References:
[1] Dezeen. (2021, March 22). WOJR's House of Horns in Los Altos Hills, California, is a modern masterpiece. Dezeen. https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/22/wojr-house-of-horns-los-altos-hills-california-modern-masterpiece/
[2] ArchDaily. (2021, March 23). House of Horns by WOJR. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/970522/house-of-horns-wojr
[3] WOJR. (n.d.). House of Horns. WOJR. https://www.wojr.com/work/house-of-horns
[4] ArchDaily. (2021, March 23). House of Horns by WOJR. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/970522/house-of-horns-wojr
[5] Dezeen. (2021, March 22). WOJR's House of Horns in Los Altos Hills, California, is a modern masterpiece. Dezeen. https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/22/wojr-house-of-horns-los-altos-hills-california-modern-masterpiece/
[6] ArchDaily. (2021, March 23). House of Horns by WOJR. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/970522/house-of-horns-wojr
[7] Dezeen. (2021, March 22). WOJR's House of Horns in Los Altos Hills, California, is a modern masterpiece. Dezeen. https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/22/wojr-house-of-horns-los-altos-hills-california-modern-masterpiece/
[8] ArchDaily. (2021, March 23). House of Horns by WOJR. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/970522/house-of-horns-wojr
[9] Dezeen. (2021, March 22). WOJR's House of Horns in Los Altos Hills, California, is a modern masterpiece. Dezeen. https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/22/wojr-house-of-horns-los-altos-hills-california-modern-masterpiece/
[10] ArchDaily. (2021, March 23). House of Horns by WOJR. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/970522/house-of-horns-wojr
[11] Dezeen. (2021, March 22). WOJR's House of Horns in Los Altos Hills, California, is a modern masterpiece. Dezeen. https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/22/wojr-house-of-horns-los-altos-hills-california-modern-masterpiece/
[12] ArchDaily. (2021, March 23). House of Horns by WOJR. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/970522/house-of-horns-wojr
[13] Dezeen. (2021, March 22). WOJR's House of Horns in Los Altos Hills, California, is a modern masterpiece. Dezeen. https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/22/wojr-house-of-horns-los-altos-hills-california-modern-masterpiece/
[14] ArchDaily. (2021, March 23). House of Horns by WOJR. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/970522/house-of-horns-wojr
The House of Horns, a modern architectural marvel, not only showcases a contemporary lifestyle but also integrates elements of home and garden, with its carefully curated wild landscaping and organic design elements such as elliptical roof vaults and sculptural stone elements throughout the house [8, 10]. Additionally, the collaboration with horticulturalist Jeff Kunkel of Greenstar further emphasizes the home's seamless mergence of lifestyle and home-and-garden aesthetics [9].
