Miner Road

The clients — a pair of environmental scientists and their two sons — moved from the Oakland Hills to Orinda in search of a warmer microclimate and a home aligned with their sustainability values. From the outset, they requested net-zero annual energy performance, a commitment that guided every design decision. The project began as a remodel of a 1954 ranch house beside a seasonal creek, but after discovering unsuitable soils and structural conditions, the design pivoted to reuse only the existing footprint, preserving the intimate relationship with a mature Valley Oak growing close to the original structure. The lone surviving element of the former house — its fireplace — was wrapped in concrete and integrated as structural support. The clients wanted an open living layout connected directly to the landscape. The resulting design uses a mezzanine plan with a double-height family space. The master bedroom and study sit above the kitchen and breakfast nook, with a screened “pacing deck” providing shade and a place for long phone calls. On the lower level, secondary bedrooms extend along a flexible hallway and wrap around an outdoor dining court positioned between the kitchen and family room. Material choices balanced first cost, lifecycle cost, and sustainability. A Corten steel rainscreen creates a zero-maintenance exterior, while a shotcrete foundation minimized formwork waste. Simplified assemblies — such as the combination of Corten cladding and shotcrete — reduced detailing complexity and labor, freeing budget for high-performance glazing, insulation, and mechanical systems. Inside, unfinished oak ceilings and walls provide a quiet, acoustically warm envelope that foregrounds the surrounding landscape. Performance-driven systems support the net-zero goal. — A 14-gauge Corten rainscreen, high insulation levels, and efficient glazing reduce loads. — An 8.1 kW photovoltaic array generated more electricity than the home consumed in its first year. — Rainwater is collected through a roof “waterfall” at the end of the hallway and stored in buried tanks for toilet flushing and laundry. — Greywater is reused for irrigation. — Energy-efficient HVAC, including variable-speed heat pumps, ECM motors, and an energy-recovery ventilator, minimizes operational energy. The sum of these strategies — focused materials, passive design, and high-efficiency systems — creates a home that is relaxed, quiet, and deeply connected to its environment, heightening awareness of the land, climate, and daily rhythms.