Designed by Alter Studio, a two-story mass conceals the neighbor to the east and establishes an independent relationship with the site. The entry courtyard is designed around a stand of live oaks and defines the home’s public presence in an assertive, albeit sensitive, injection of modernity to the area. By contrast, a private courtyard in the rear, where the neighboring homes disappear from view, creates a tranquil refuge.
Akin to the ethos of the Eichler Homes of Northern California and the suburban ideal of post-war America, once inside the Bunny Run Residence the neighborhood disappears, leaving the visitor with a serene interior and uninterrupted views to the out-of-doors and greenbelt. Abstract and not immediately accessible from the street, the building reveals itself through its sustained experience. Meandering through its entry sequence, the visitor is drawn towards an evolving collection of enticements. Rooms extend to the out-of-doors as well as adjacent rooms, and are caught between several sources of light and view.
Transparency, reflection and shadow are embraced ubiquitously and activate the interior spaces throughout the day. Windows that disappear beyond the plane of the ceiling, oversized mahogany sliders, and an unexpectedly tall light monitor in the master bathroom further a sense of wonder, while quarter sawn oak floors, walnut cabinetry, and grey Lueders limestone provide a point of stasis against this dynamic milieu.
