California residence perched on a hilltop, harmoniously integrated with the surrounding environment, showcases panoramic vistas of the natural world.
The House of Horns: A Sculptural Home in Los Altos Hills
The House of Horns, a unique architectural marvel, stands proudly in the heart of Los Altos Hills, California. Designed by WOJR, an architectural firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this home embodies a design philosophy that treats the house as an immersive, experiential environment deeply connected to its site and history.
The most striking feature of the House of Horns is its dramatic undulating roof, a roofline composed of crests and troughs that boldly integrates with the rugged landscape. The "horn"-like peaks and valleys define the house's silhouette, emphasizing both presence and harmony with the environment.
The home spans two floors, with bedrooms bracketed by the living area. The primary bedroom, located at the other end of the house, boasts a generous closet and enjoys views through large windows onto the newly landscaped garden. The primary bathroom is palatial and lined with marble, featuring a substantial tub carved from a dark seam of marble.
The lower level of the House of Horns is set deep into the hillside, giving it the appearance of a single-story house. This level features three distinctive circular chambers that offer viewpoints and framing devices for the world beyond. The courtyard spaces in this level are countersunk into the slope of the garden, marked out by swirling ribbons of railings.
The interior spaces and landscape of the House of Horns are curated as a series of unique experiences, reinforcing the idea of the house as a mini-world, not just a dwelling. This comprehensive design execution involved numerous specialized firms, including Paragon Custom Builders for construction, Kylle Sebree Studio for custom furniture, and O-LLC for lighting design.
Bespoke furniture for the House of Horns was made by Kylle Sebree Studio, while the kitchen was supplied by Henrybuilt. The fireplace that marks the center point of the home is carved from blocks of Danby marble from Vermont. Large marble elements are a key feature of the home, including an ovoid, menhir-like column in the ground floor pool space.
The House of Horns is not a traditional home; it is an assemblage of architectural elements that reach out into the landscape. The architects refer to these large marble elements as 'projects within a project.' The main entrance to the home is found on the first floor, with the living area punctuated by large windows onto the landscaped garden.
The House of Horns, with its sculptural roof form and innovative design philosophy, stands out as a testament to WOJR's architectural thinking. It offers far-reaching views of the San Francisco Bay and provides a unique living experience that is deeply connected to its site and history.
[1] WOJR Architecture. (2021). House of Horns. Retrieved from https://www.wojrarchitecture.com/project/house-of-horns
[2] Dezeen. (2021). House of Horns by WOJR Architecture in California. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/2021/09/15/house-of-horns-wojr-architecture-california-interior-design-los-altos-hills/
[3] ArchDaily. (2021). House of Horns by WOJR Architecture. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/971612/house-of-horns-wojr-architecture
This unique home in Los Altos Hills, the House of Horns, transcends traditional boundaries of architecture and design, creating a harmonious lifestyle blend of interior-design and home-and-garden. The house, designed by WOJR, immerses its inhabitants in an experiential environment, integrating the home with its surroundings and respecting its history.
The innovative design of the House of Horns, showcased in various architectural and design journals, highlights the importance of interior-design in creating a holistic lifestyle experience, where home and garden flow seamlessly, reflecting a contemporary lifestyle.
