dowling studios: whitehall lane

‘whitehall lane’ by dowling studios, st helena, california image © matthew millman

san francisco and princeton-based dowling studios have designed ‘whitehall lane’, a residence and guesthouse in st helena, california. positioned along a steep slope, the site is framed with a backdrop of mature trees and a garden positioned in front of the main home while providing unobstructed views of napa valley and the vineyards to the east. accessed by a series of portals branching from an internal corridor, an enclosed courtyard planted with ornamental cherry trees to the west side of the dwelling creates an intimate outdoor setting.

framed by the woods and vineyard image © matthew millman

strategically framed with large windows, stretches of fruit trees, flowers and a small personal vineyard encompass each side of the structures to maintain color and texture which may be viewed from the spaces inside throughout the year. the facades are clad with horizontal planks of cedar while a warm gray stone and pigmented concrete fuse the site with the patio, pool and landscape, producing a rural and modern appearance. a material palette of walnut floors and warm white walls unify the interior.

main house image © matthew millman

patio overlooking the garden, pool and napa valley beyond image © matthew millman

view from the pool image © matthew millman

entry image © matthew millman

side entrance image © matthew millman

courtyard in the backyard image © matthew millman

portals to the courtyard image © matthew millman

kitchen image © matthew millman

(left) kitchen (right) view of kitchen from living area images © matthew millman

side entry and corridor image © matthew millman

corridor image © matthew millman

stair detail image © matthew millman

(left) bedroom (right) bathroom images © matthew millman

guesthouse image © matthew millman

at dusk image © matthew millman

at night image © matthew millman