This small traditional home was one of Sara’s first projects, constructed prior to her move to Oregon. She worked in conjunction with the homeowner to refine the owner’s conceptual layout and developed construction documents for the owner’s contractor.

The home sits on a hill overlooking Surprise Valley, a picturesque basin in the very northeast corner of California. The structure is situated to minimize the amount of grading required during construction and oriented to capture the views of the alkali lakes in season and the multitude of farms spanning the valley floor. Exterior design was kept simple with painted vertical siding and corrugated metal roofing, and a large deck on the downhill side provides a substantial outdoor area for the homeowners to sit and enjoy the serenity of their view.

Inside, the home boasts a streamlined floor plan that fit two bedrooms, two baths, a living room, a dining/kitchen area, a laundry room, substantial pantry and storage space, and a sizeable library/office into a footprint of approximately 1,800 square feet. Circulation space is primarily incorporated into the main living spaces to reduce wasted space, the bathrooms are centralized adjacent to the water heater to streamline hot water circulation, and windows are double-hung to allow for multiple options of natural ventilation.