clientPrivate Zen Spa and Observatory
servicesNew Construction, Interiors
locationSonoma, CA
size5,000 sq ft
statusCompleted 2007
Located adjacent to our client’s primary residence and nestled among heritage oak and olive trees, this private Zen spa and observatory offers a relaxing space to connect with the serene Sonoma countryside landscape.
The astronomical observatory houses a robotically controlled 20-inch telescope and an extensive private library. Clad in corten steel panels, the structure sits in a reflecting pool and is axially sited between an allee of old olive trees. A structural corten steel stairway provides access to the telescope and dome.
Sited among 250-year-old Oak trees, the 4,000 sq ft concrete, stone and corten steel Zen spa building includes a living/dining area with fireplace, and wet spa areas. Images from the observatory’s telescope, the Hubble catalog, and other sources are displayed on a large rear projection screen in the home theater.
Awards and Press
- A Piece of Eden — Metropolis 2008
- Ground Control — San Francisco Magazine 2008
- High-Tech, High Life — La Vie 2009
- AIA Redwood Empire’s People’s Choice Award — 2012
- ASLA Honor Award — 2009
PHOTOGRAPHYTim Griffith, Michael O’Callahan
Awards
- City of Palo Alto, Architectural Review Board (ARB) Design Award | The Hub at Stanford Research Park
- ULI Washington Awards for Excellence, Finalist | MLK Gateway II
- Future of Work Awards, Jury’s Special Prize | Ledger HQ
- BIM d’Or, Tech Show Awards | Google AI Hub
- Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards, Office Renovation, Winner | Meta EMEA Headquarters
- Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards, Medium Tech Office: Finalists | WHOOP Headquarters
- ULI Europe Awards for Excellence : Winner | L’Atelier Covivio
- Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards, Finalist: Large Early Education | Raymond Elementary School
- AIA DC, Awards of Excellence in Architecture, Chapter Design Award: Winner | Raymond Elementary School
- ULI Washington Awards of Excellence, Excellence in Institutional Development: Winner | Raymond Elementary School
- ULI Washington Awards of Excellence: Finalists | Raymond Elementary School
- USGBC, US Local Market Leadership Swards DC, MD, VA, Decarbonization Award: Winner | Raymond Elementary School
- Fast Company, Innovation by Design Awards, Best Workplace Design: Honorable Mention | WHOOP Headquarters
- Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, Display Installations: Winner | Welcome Galleries at the National Building Museum
- Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, Best in office Buildings: Winner | Meta EMEA Headquarters
- Interior Design Magazine, NYCxDesign Awards: Finalist | 825 Third Avenue
- CoreNet NYC Design Excellence Awards, Project of the Year Under 25K sq ft: Winner | 825 Third Avenue
- USGBC, US Local Market Leadership Awards DC, MD, VA, Judge’s Choice Award: Winner | MLK Gateway II
- NAIOP DC MD Awards of Excellence, Best Washington DC Urban Office: Winner | MLK Gateway II
- CoreNet New England Awards of Excellence, Large Workplace: Winner | WHOOP Headquarters