If you are a nature lover who also appreciates good design, then the Suspension House by Fougeron Architecture is a must see. Suspended over a creek between two beautiful hills in California, this magnificent house is an absolute picture. From the natural materials used in its construction to the incredible views of the surrounding landscape, this house has everything you could want in a home – and more.
A fascinating home with stunning views
The architects designed the house in such a way that it could be suspended between two wooded hills, where it overlooks a roaring waterfall and a beautiful stream flows beneath the house. The aim was to deepen the connection of this house to its surroundings and create a place where their clients could live immersed in an exceptional landscape.
It is no longer permitted to rebuild such a home in California, but following strict guidelines, the architects redesigned an existing structure and transformed the relationships between house, water and land. The design of this house and its relationship to the natural environment is a fascinating example of how existing structures can be reused and adapted to better suit our needs.
By placing a steel frame under the original floors, the architects were able to remove supporting columns from the bed of the stream, creating a more open and flowing space. This changed the house from a structure isolated from its natural surroundings to one that interacts and relates to the land in a much more meaningful way.
The house stands atop a rocky outcrop, surrounded by lush forest with mountains in the distance. It is an imposing sight, and one that would be overwhelming if the house had not been so thoughtfully designed. Through the use of transparent materials and careful sightlines, the house blends into its surroundings rather than competing with them. The two lower floors remain within the original building, but the addition of minimal glass volumes creates a sense of openness and space. It is a clever design that makes optimal use of the beautiful natural landscape.
