Sonoma County Family Retreat
A multigenerational family owns this ranch, with residences in a central area surrounded by towering redwoods and meadows. Before our arrival, the property was divided into various paddocks and fenced areas for livestock. We aimed to unify the family-use areas and link them in a reconceived circulation system, adding a large lawn area surrounding the living spaces in extended garden borders. Other new amenities included a multi-shot single-hole golf area, a chicken coop, and a vegetable area protected by wire mesh on a frame that protected the ground, sides and roof from rodents, other mammals and birds. We created a rustic, contoured road system to provide vehicular access for maintenance and recreation. Narrower trails were added for walking or biking through the ancient redwood forest and steep slopes. A rustic grape stake fence and automated gate were put along the road to offer greater privacy. Vegetation management included tree and fire-prone shrub thinning and forestry mulching. New fruit trees and various colorful plants were set out in our classic, supernaturalistic style.