Built with the highest level of detail and care, this project’s architecture, hardscape and landscape elements strike a perfect equilibrium—creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.

Located on the grounds of an Atherton estate, behind an existing house, great attention and forethought was required to plan and execute the construction and site work. The intricacy of the design and detailing, in particular the structural steel system, was met with exacting craft.

  • Atherton, California
    • Feldman Architecture
    • Thuilot Associates
    • Daedalus Structural Engineering
    • Lea & Braze Engineering Inc.
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The two pavilions—dining pavilion and meditation pavilion—sit on concrete plinths and are the same in overall size, structure and materiality.

The exteriors are wrapped in naturally weathering Alaskan Yellow Cedar slats, which will age over time and blend more completely into the surroundings. The cedar is accentuated by Extira panels, a durable, certified green exterior paneling system composed of sustainable materials.

Shared modernist finishes include integral plastered ceilings, but the articulation of the openings and the amenities of each pavilion are specific to their individual functions.

 

The open air dining pavilion features powder coated custom metal cabinets, honed stone counters and steel-troweled concrete floors, and a well-equipped chef’s kitchen with wood-fired pizza oven, rotisserie and professional range.

 

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The meditation pavilion sits further back on the property to provide a sense of retreat and privacy and a serene space for contemplation, yoga and exercise. A luxury sauna is accessed around the side of the building. Glass walls and retractable full-height Fleetwood doors promote a connection with the gardens and adjacent grove of trees. The floors of rift-sawn white oak are warmed with a Nuheat electric heat mat system.

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Seating areas, a firepit, bocce court and pool complete the bucolic environment. A stone decking of hexagon-cut basalt slabs elegantly frame the pool feature, which was thoroughly refurbished from an existing pool. The process involved stripping, replastering and the installation of new state-of-the-art equipment.