Rau Haus: a modern, secluded, modestly-sized space with a dedicated zone for hosting

A couple with a young daughter looking to leave the city in search of more space contacted Feldman Architecture to design a forever home – a modern, secluded, modestly-sized space with a dedicated zone for hosting family and friends. With a sweeping parcel in the South Bay (Portola Valley, California) sloping westward towards the Coal Creek Preserve already picked out, the architects’ vision centered around completely immersing visitors in rolling green hills while offering a rare, distant glimpse of the San Francisco Bay to the North.

The design centers around thoughtfully orienting public and private living spaces towards views while creating a sense of privacy from the neighbors above. The L-shaped building footprint is gently tucked into the eastern hillside, creating an enclosure for outdoor moments, and framing a wide array of views from indoor living spaces. 

The massing is carefully articulated to minimize disruption of views from the surrounding properties. The primary bar runs north to south, expanding vertically at a double-height kitchen and dining space while visually connecting the main level to a study loft and bedrooms upstairs. Light wells and clerestory windows on the eastern façade welcome morning light and offer peeks of greenery without compromising privacy. A single-story bar topped by a green roof stretches perpendicularly – blending into the surrounding landscape and creating a multipurpose space at pool level for playing, exercising, and entertaining. The infinity pool acts as a threshold where the manicured landscape merges into the native meadow-scape.

Bay views to the North are captured privately from the primary suite, and publicly from a view deck. It was important for the clients that this roof deck was publicly accessible without compromising the privacy of their bedroom.

Design and info © Feldman Architecture

Interior © FQ Designs

Images © Adam Rouse

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