Project Data:

Completion Date:     1/13/2024

Square Footage:      544

Building Use:           Dining Pavilion

Project Description:

A couple with an existing home in Sonoma enjoyed summer picnics in the grove of oak trees overlooking the adjacent vineyard. They shared wine, food, cooking and good times with their friends and family, but the insects of Sonoma also loved their wine and food too!

Our challenge was to create a dining pavilion that protected them from the bugs while responding to the vineyard location and agricultural heritage of the valley. We call this the Bug House.

The Bug House forms are derived from the three programmatic spaces they needed: outdoor cooking, interior lounging, and covered dining. The Bug House is enclosed on 3 sides by the concrete walls of the outdoor cooking area, the fireplace column, and the dining buffet wall which pulls apart to reveal a dramatic view north to the vineyard. The 4th wall remains open to the vineyard with screened and sliding glass doors.

A shed roof slopes down, toward the vineyard, focusing views across the valley to the east, while lifting to the west to bring in light and views of the oak grove just beyond. The roof’s solar system is specifically designed to support the Bug House at net-zero.

Approaching the Bug House from the existing home and pool at the south one notices the concrete wall of the outdoor kitchen is turned, forming a backdrop to the entry, with a narrow peek-a-boo slot view to the vineyard. Between the kitchen wall and the fireplace column a solid wood door provides a sense of mystery about what lies beyond, inviting guests to step inside and experience the space for themselves. Beyond the sliding doors of the Bug House a set of long, cascading steps offer access to the meadow below, and a welcome resting spot from which to enjoy a glass of wine.

As the sun sets behind the Bug House the cricket's song fills the air. The Bug House gently glows as a lantern in the meadow while twilight descends on the vineyard. The sounds of laughter fill the air as friends gather for their evening meal. The bugs, however, are not invited in tonight!

Firm Name:              Anders Lasater Architects

Completion Date:     1/13/2024

Square Footage:      544

Building Use:           Dining Pavilion

Location:                 Sonoma County, CA

Project Description:
• Designing for Well-being by providing abundant natural light that is well balanced and considered for the use of the space, plentiful natural ventilation with clerestory windows and sliding doors for thermal comfort and indoor air quality, and a strong connection to nature with views to the surrounding site and the curated landscape surrounding the Bug House
• Designing for Integration as the Bug House is a direct result of a strong central design concept of creating a space that I defined and formed by the support needed for the primary program. Thoughtful materials, rich in textures but elemental in purpose are used to elicit beauty and delight and lift the senses for the intended use
• Designing for Energy as the Bug House was designed with several passive features including daylighting, cross ventilation, and a roof mounted solar system designed to make the Bug House net-zero energy use.
• Designing for Economy as the Bug House is a small, essential structure employing the 3 elemental materials of concrete, steel and wood. It will be operational for many years with very low to no maintenance.

Design Architect:
Anders Lasater Architects, Inc.

Associate Architect or Firm:

Landscape Architect:

Owner / Developer:

Engineer:
GFDS Structural Design

General Contractor:
Jungsten Construction

Consultant:

Photographer:
Anders Lasater Architects, Inc.