In the scenic Martis Valley near Lake Tahoe, “John Maniscalco Architecture” has crafted an innovative martis valley modern home. With its L-shaped design, the house harmonizes with the natural environment using stained cedar, zinc roofing, and concrete, creating a seamless exterior that melds with the woodlands.
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From the outset, the martis valley modern home presents a compact façade. A curved driveway directs visitors toward the wood-clad structure, concealing a garage cleverly integrated into the building’s rainscreen design, maintaining an elegant, unassuming appearance.
A Grand Interior Behind Humble Exteriors of the Martis Valley Modern Home
The house opens up through expansive windows and a sloping wooden roof, unveiling the spaciousness within. The living area, crowned by 19-foot-high windows, offers sweeping vistas, revealing the house’s true scale and connecting it to the surrounding landscape.
The open-plan layout of the living, dining, and kitchen areas beneath the sloped roof extends the interior space. Large sliding glass panels link the kitchen to the outdoor terraces, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living, embodying the essence of modern architecture.
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Nature-Integrated Spa Retreat
The martis valley modern home transitions to an outdoor spa area, featuring a central hot tub and a sheltered soaking tub for privacy. A concrete patio with flexible seating options complements the natural setting, while a black metal screen offers additional seclusion when necessary.
Adjacent to the soaking tub, a sliding wooden door reveals a sauna. The interior, lined with light wood, includes ample bench seating, completing this relaxation zone with a steam shower and cold plunge for a full cycle of rejuvenation.
Outdoor Dining with a View
The patio extends into a vibrant dining area with a striking concrete firepit, a metal dining table, and sumptuous seating options. Equipped with a BBQ and wood-fired pizza oven, this space is ideal for alfresco dining experiences enhanced by the firepit’s warm ambiance in this martis valley modern home.
A large glass sliding wall separates the terrace from the kitchen, merging the two areas into a cohesive space for effortless flow between dining and cooking.
Kitchen Islands Create a Hub of Activity
Within the kitchen, three large islands topped with gray countertops form the functional core. White cabinetry beneath clerestory windows brightens the space, harmonizing with the warm stained cedar ceiling above in the martis valley modern home.
The design preserves the visual connection to the outdoors, with expansive windows and an open layout ensuring the kitchen feels integrated with the external environment.
Dining with Panoramic Views
An oval dining table beneath a pendent light bridges the kitchen and living room. The open plan allows a fluid transition between spaces, framed by floor-to-ceiling glass walls for uninterrupted views of the picturesque surroundings.
The blend of glass, cedar, and minimalist furnishings keeps attention focused on the outdoor landscape.
Central Fireplace as a Focal Point
The living area is anchored by a dramatic black steel fireplace against a wood accent wall, strategically positioned to divide the space while maintaining openness.
It enhances the house’s seamless flow, integrating with the broader landscape through large windows that continue the theme of exterior connections in this martis valley modern home.
Pathway to a Relaxing Workspace
A hallway bordered by a floor-to-ceiling wood bookcase leads to the home office. The space, suffused with natural light, maintains the home’s material palette of timber and glass, promoting a serene work environment.
Glass Corridor to the Master Suite
Another hallway with bordered windows leads to the master bedroom, creating the sensation of walking amidst the trees. The landscape remains a constant visual thread, enhancing the experience of moving through the house.
The master suite is characterized by its soaring ceilings and expansive windows, positioned uniquely above the lower guest bedroom, cantilevering 30 feet to give the appearance of floating above the forest floor in the martis valley modern home.
Lower Bedroom with Private Patio
On the lower floor, a bedroom features sliding glass doors leading to a secluded patio, extending the room’s space into nature and filling it with natural light.
The vertical arrangement of the bedrooms exemplifies the design’s bold structural approach, with the cantilevered master bedroom extending above the lower guest space.
Cohesive Design Plan
The floor plan illustrates the L-shaped configuration, accommodating varied living spaces, bedrooms, and an outdoor haven. It clearly depicts how the main living area interlinks private spaces with exterior terraces.
The home by “John Maniscalco Architecture” elegantly conceals its complexity behind a simple exterior. Using cedar, concrete, and glass, it maintains a refined aesthetic, while its thoughtful design fosters a spacious and distinctive ambience in the heart of Martis Valley.
Photography by Joe Fletcher
Source: contemporist.com
Frequently asked questions
How does the Martis Valley modern home integrate with nature?
The Martis Valley modern home uses stained cedar, zinc roofing, and concrete to create a seamless exterior that melds with the surrounding woodlands. Large sliding glass panels and expansive windows connect indoor spaces with outdoor terraces, enhancing the integration with the natural setting.
What features are in the outdoor spa area of the Martis Valley home?
The outdoor spa area includes a central hot tub, a sheltered soaking tub for privacy, a concrete patio with flexible seating, and a sliding wooden door that reveals a sauna.
How is the master suite designed in the Martis Valley home?
The master suite is characterized by soaring ceilings and expansive windows, uniquely positioned over the lower guest bedroom. It cantilevers 30 feet to give the appearance of floating above the forest floor.