Traditional materials used in innovative ways are defining modern architecture in the 21st century This new home was designed to have an intimate connection with the rural landscape. Architect Neal Schwartz discusses the rationale behind the design and position of the house. A home in the country is increasingly seen as an antidote to city living, so it's not surprising to see contemporary rural architecture is also finding a different expression. This house, on a 40-acre ranchland site in California, challenges the local building styles to provide a home that melds with the rugged landscape -- architect Neal Schwartz says it was conceived as a base camp for the owners and their children who love to explore the surrounding hills and tracks. "The architecture is a direct response to the need to link with the outdoors," Schwartz says. "For example, the approach involves a series of thresholds, including bridges over a seasonal watercourse, that foster the idea of movement and exploration. "The geometry of the house also helps. With its long, angled wing, the building appears to embrace the hills behind. And the forced perspective created by a tapering 100ft-long solar screen on the exterior guides the view back into the landscape." Positioning the house low on the site was another way to focus attention on the hills beyond. "For many architects, the first impulse is to conquer a hill by placing the house at the very top. We wanted to flip that idea, so that the hill rises up behind the house, creating a much more powerful experience. It also made sense to build on the flat in terms of construction costs, and there is less noise from the local road. "It was important to keep the house as abstract as possible -- we were not looking Read the full article at http://my.trendsideas.com/#/search/43375 Video: http://my.trendsideas.com/#/search/43678

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