Rim Rock Residence
The Rim Rock Residence is situated at the edge of a canyon overlooking the Butte Creek Ecological Reserve outside Chico, CA. The building is oriented with the topography and with a primary view directed toward a distant hilltop. Designed for an artist couple and conceived as a ‘contemporary rustic’, the home will be a center for local artist gatherings with entertainment, events, display, and workshop space.
A circular drive leads to the primary entrance and auto court at the high point of the property. A metal clad shed form creates a welcoming sheltered front porch where a large window wall offers transparency through the house and frames the wooden entry door and views beyond.
Weathered steel cladding is the predominant exterior finish material, with stone serving as a base and pillar material and exposed wood structure or siding serving as accent. Large overhangs shield the interior from the summer sun and the north orientation of the deck provides shaded exterior space for seating most of the year.
Entry is directly into the combined living, dining, and kitchen spaces which all enjoy views into the canyon through floor to ceiling windows. The shed roof slopes up towards the view to maximize the window and door openings onto the exterior deck. A large, metal clad fireplace creates a corner to enjoy the seasons in the living space. Exposed glulam beams and oak floor create warmth and depth throughout the home.
The plan is zoned to place the Master Suite west of the Great Room opposite the garage side where study, stairs, mud room and powder room are located. The lower level is embedded into the hillside where there are the guest suites, entertainment room, and utility workshop. The guest and entertainment rooms are oriented toward canyon views and open to a lower patio where trailheads to the canyon below can be found.
