MONTICELLO

Nestled within the hills of the Napa Valley, Monticello is a weekend retreat for a vibrant family that embraces nature in its most raw and authentic form. We were greeted with native oaks, manzanitas, salvias, rolling grasslands, and geological rock formations dating back more than two million years on our first visit to the property. Two months later, the property burned in the Atlas Fire, damaging a significant amount of the landscape. Our design vision was viewed through the lens of preservation, restoration, and fire resilience.

The 19-acre parcel is comprised of a rocky ledge sloping steeply down to a seasonal stream. Preserving the sculptural rock formations on site was a core design philosophy, working closely with the architect, Edmonds + Lee Architects, in both siting the buildings and the overall site design.

During the early stages of the design process, Ground Studio worked closely with the landscape contractor, Dexter Estate Landscapes, in restoring as many plantings damaged during the fire as possible. Intentionally coppicing existing plant material to the ground to encourage vigorous growth from the root system, knowing these plants would be vibrant once again by the time construction was complete.

Hardscape materials like concrete, steel, and crushed rock are employed in ways that will not only age gracefully but also offer higher resistance to future wildfires. Trees and shrubs are kept at a distance, allowing for low, native grassland to cushion the building on all sides.