Residential / Custom Residence
Rocky Knoll Residence
Post-Fire Rebuild • Santa Rosa, California
The Rocky Knoll site was devastated by the 2017 Tubbs Fire, which destroyed every structure on the property. The rebuild required addressing a steep hillside slope, integrating an ADU, designing for long-term wildfire resilience, and creating a home with lasting architectural character appropriate to its California setting.
The residence uses insulated concrete forms (ICF) for cast-in-place concrete construction, providing exceptional fire resistance and thermal performance. The Mediterranean aesthetic - smooth stucco, terra-cotta roof tile, and arched loggias - is authentically expressed while incorporating contemporary interior openness and material refinement. The steep slope is engaged directly through a terraced site plan that integrates the ADU below grade, creates defensible landscape space, and provides layered outdoor living areas with views across the valley. Drought-tolerant, fire-resistant planting reinforces long-term site resilience. The design is rooted in its landscape while being built to endure.
A resilient, carefully crafted home rebuilt on a site defined by loss. The design honors the landscape, addresses the real-world demands of wildfire-prone construction, and creates a lasting residence that integrates ADU flexibility, outdoor living, and architectural quality into a coherent whole.
Work with Fine Line Studio