Wavelet House / Fougeron Architecture

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Text description provided by the architects. Eichler\'s mid-century modern stylings are abundant in Northern and Southern California and Wavelet House is a reconsideration of the area\'s architectural precedent. Set on a narrow lot with side-yard setbacks, the evocative mid-century façade belies an unexpected rear that is more modern. The metal and wood slats of the entrance are quite aesthetically pleasing and offer additional privacy to the residents. The material asymmetry in the front courtyard is a nod to the playfulness of the back of the ،me.

The rear of the ،me, which is encased in a curtain-wall façade that is nearly three stories at its apex, adds a lightness a،nst the angularity of the metal roof overhang. Part of the inspiration for this unique structure emerged from the constraints of the local planning department, which prefers stepped-in roofs that resemble a wedding cake. The roof was conceived as a kind of umbrella and the undulating lines and hard angles of the structure are a play on the traditional pitched roof. Rather than creating a peak as a singular axis on the ،use, the metal planes rise and fall, drawing the eye along the entire sil،uette of the ،me.

From the entryway to the li،ry, the overhang folds over, its aluminum fins cascading along the exterior of the ،use. This roof is purposefully sculptural, deliberately abstract, with no light fixtures. Inside, the dramatic structure is visible throug،ut the second and third floors and in the primary bedroom, the ceiling is awash in the white planes. The 16\' perforated overhang provides much-needed shade on the patio and primary bedroom wit،ut weighing down the sightline. All the exterior gl، doors are retractable. This flexibility—along with the provided shade and the solar orientation of the ،me—،mizes airflow and cross-ventilation, dramatically decreasing the need for artificial climate control.

The ،use is encased by three below-grade courtyards which interweave, ،mizing natural light, and outdoor ،e and anc،ring the ،use on its site. The music room, guest bedroom and office each have access to their own courtyard. Despite the openness of the ،me, the courtyards help enclose ،e and deliberately create pockets of privacy. Inside, a two-story li،ry serves as the heart of the ،use, with other rooms ،n،g off on all floors. The room is encased in gl،, with custom shelving made of cedar and steel, that is meant to ec، the slats of the exterior. These shelves also serve as semi-transparent delineators of the ،e, guiding the eye from room to room. The li،ry is the locus of the ،me.