Dark Cross
Napa County, California

This two-story, 3,410 square foot custom residence was designed to harmonize structural resilience with architectural elegance. Located on expansive soils, the home sits on a post-tensioned slab foundation system engineered to meet the geotechnical demands of the site. The primary structure is comprised of wood-framed walls, clad with a combination of corrugated steel siding and wood rainscreen siding, supporting manufactured trusses on the roof level and I-joists on the floor level, which balances aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability to create a structurally robust envelope. A 520 square foot attached garage, a 221 square foot utility area, and dedicated mechanical, electrical, and storage rooms are integrated into the home’s layout, supporting both form and function.

The roof, topped with standing seam metal, is framed with plywood sheathing over a combination of clear-spanning flat trusses and scissor trusses. The second floor is framed with plywood sheathing over I-joists spanning from one exterior wall to the other, eliminating the need for interior bearing walls. The use of I-joists provides an increase in strength and stability, as well as flexibility and ease of installation. Structural composite lumber supports the roof and floor framing at key spans, ensuring longevity and clean lines.  A dramatic full-height, two-story glass curtain wall spans the north elevation, creating a striking architectural focal point and flooding the interior with natural light.