Urban Country
The Grove, Healdsburg, Calif.
The challenge facing the architects of The Grove, a 23-unit attached project in Healdsburg, Calif., was pretty straightforward in some ways. They had to figure out how to make the best of a sloping, 2.85-acre site with a protected, wooded natural slough at the low end, oak trees scattered throughout, and a small grove of 50-foot redwood trees in the center. The fact that the site was smack in the middle of a small town in wine country made things more interesting. For the team from Flynn, Craig & Grant Architects, success came from respecting the infill site’s natural amenities and playing up the rural aspects.
Existing trees were preserved, and buildings and roads were stepped down the natural slope of the site with minimal grading. Buildings were squeezed in between tree canopies and the loop road, which was visually narrowed to a rural lane by changing the inner 5 feet of the street to a concrete path. Exterior building forms, finishes, and colors were used to evoke a conglomeration of barns and simple farm structures. Combinations of metal and wood—the barn-like, wood-clad, metal garage doors are a prime example—reflect the area’s rich agricultural history.
Rural as its massing may appear, the project’s five floor plans flow from the architects’ experience with designing urban lofts. Each unit is narrow, deep, and vertical, with 18-foot-high window-walls that frame views of the heritage trees. The modern vibe is continued on the wood decks, some of which feature stainless-steel outdoor fireplaces. Perfect for those move-up and second-home buyers who like their spot in the country to have an urban edge.—Kathleen Stanley
Award: Grand for best attached project (for sale)—under 18 du/acre; Builder: Nordby Construction, Santa Rosa, Calif.; Developer: Healdsburg Grove Lofts, Healdsburg, Calif.; Architect: Flynn, Craig & Grant Architects, Danville, Calif.
