Table to Farm | AIA Merit Award 2015

The story: an entrepreneur who spends her days in the city conceiving and managing high-concept restaurants and other creative real estate ventures needed a retreat. A place that would take her closer to the type of land that supplies her customer’s tables, and that reflected her love for wide-open spaces. Cue: Somis, CA. The 70’s-era country house plus avocado ranch she found there was in need of extensive renovation, but with sweeping valley views and on rich alluvial farmland it had more than enough potential to fit that bill.

The overall site plan includes terraced steps, retaining walls, and planters, all made with a combination of board formed concrete and reclaimed wood planking. Together, they form a considered geometry, with sharp angles and linear patterns that both mirror and frame the rows of agricultural plantings below. The pool area is bookended by an Argentinian barbecue – for a traditional asado – and a cabana with wet bar, making it the perfect retreat for outdoor entertaining amidst an idyllic rural setting.

We chose materials with an equal emphasis on beauty, function and sustainability – exposed steel I-beams and hog fencing on the attached decks, corrugated steel barn siding for the house and pool cabana, and reclaimed wood planks for decking.

somis, ca (view site plans and renderings here)

Black bottom pool overlooking agricultural fields. Reclaimed wood and acid etched concrete deck. Reclaimed steel open work trellises.

Black bottom pool overlooking agricultural fields. Reclaimed wood decking echoes the row of surrounding plantings. Board formed cast-in-place concrete retaining walls and planters contain dwarf olives and other drought tolerants varieties

Twilight view, looking East, of the simply designed black bottom pool and pool house. The deck mixes sections of reclaimed wood and acid etched concrete. The poolside cabana with wet bar features corrugated steel and high fire rated cedar wood siding, sliding barn doors, and clerestory windows

Sunset view of rectangular black bottom pool and reclaimed wood decking

Moonrise view of pool and cabana with wet bar. LED landscape and pool lighting is kept minimal to evoke moonlight

Tiered steps of concrete and reclaimed wood planking echo the planting rows of the surrounding agricultural fields. Planters, filled with agaves, dwarf olives, and fig trees, are made from board formed, cast in place concrete. The intimate seating area shown is one of many small, room-like spaces designed into the landscape for guests to gather in small groups or to take in a private moment.

Tiered steps of concrete and reclaimed wood planking echo the planting rows of the surrounding agricultural fields. Planters, filled with agaves, dwarf olives, and fig trees, are made from board formed, cast in place concrete. The intimate seating area shown is one of many small, room-like spaces designed into the landscape for guests to gather in small groups or to take in a private moment.

The Argentinean barbecue grill, ready for hosting a traditional asado, is surrounded by tiered, geometric planters of board formed, cast in place concrete. Mixed patio surfaces include bluestone pavers, gravel, concrete and reclaimed wood

Detail of one of the many retaining walls and planters created using board formed, cast in place concrete. Light source is a tiny bronze fixture inset into the concrete and containing a small LED bulb.

Moonrise view of pool and pool house with wet bar. Steel trellis will provide shade when planted, clerestory windows let in light. Pool house also features sliding barn doors, small kitchen, flush-mount cabinets, and exterior supply cabinet. To the right of the pool house is an intimate seating area that provides privacy and shade. LED landscape and pool lighting is kept minimal to evoke moonlight

Espaliered fig in winter plays against corrugated steel siding

The steel trellis over the entrance to the pool house will provide shade when planted, clerestory windows let in light from above. The cabana and bar also features sliding barn doors, small kitchen, flush-mount cabinets, and exterior supply cabinet. The exterior is clad in corrugated steel and high fire rated cedar. To the right of the pool house is an intimate seating area that provides privacy and shade.

Shot at moonrise, this raised, gravel-paved patio is one of several private spaces built to create intimacy around the more expansive poolside areas. Board formed cast in place concrete retaining walls surround gardens planted with agaves and dwarf olives. LED landscape lighting is minimal, meant to mimic moonlight rather than create an artificial sun

all images by kurt jordan photography