Happy Valley House by Swatt Miers Architects was created as an example of West Coast Modern architecture that is also perfect for family life
Happy Valley House was crafted for a young family with three school-age children who moved to California from New York. The home, designed by local architecture studio Swatt Miers, was conceived as a 'warm, peaceful and private new family home, where they could enjoy family life with their extended family and friends', explains one of the studio's founders, Robert Swatt.
'With strong indoor-outdoor connections, the Happy Valley House is a prime example of West Coast Modern architecture designed for California living.' The house replaced an existing, old and unsuitable structure on the site. The architects, however, tried to make the most of the original building's infrastructure, using its footprint as the basis for the plan, to minimise new grading and drainage, and eliminate the need for new landscape screening.
This means the architects were able to save existing planting, such as the site’s giant redwood and oak trees. The mature greenery and openness of the new design blend effortlessly in a composition that favours that indoor-outdoor lifestyle, while making it all feel timeless. 'The interior spaces are anchored by a grand, two-storey living and dining “great room” in the centre of the H-shaped plan,' adds Swatt, talking about one of the main drivers in the design solution. 'This dramatic central space separates the family and guest wings, and connects to the outdoors through an entry courtyard on the north side, and the large covered lanai on the south side.
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