Since 2017, nearly 60% of Napa County, CA, has been touched by fire. In this revolutionary design, Edmonds + Lee Architects created a fire-resilient residential retreat set within 19 acres of the area’s rugged landscape. The client previously enlisted the firm to design their vertical, urban home in San Francisco, lovingly named “Remember House.” Now, the homeowners tapped Edmonds + Lee once again to create a weekend home that could withstand the environmental threats of Napa Valley.
The architects conceived “Amnesia House” as a contemporary counterpoint to the family’s San Francisco home. Amnesia House is defined by its horizontal, quiet layout and deep connection with the surrounding terrain. Since the site was previously undeveloped, its steep topography presented challenges. To minimize disruption to the landscape, the house was carefully positioned on a narrow ledge to preserve drainage patterns and vegetation.
“The selected model strikes a balance between rustic authenticity and contemporary precision,” explains Edmonds + Lee Partner Robert Edmonds. “Its craftsmanship feels true to the agrarian vernacular while maintaining a refined, modern sensibility that complements the architecture’s material language.”
The Exterior
Outside, the home is composed of two parallel gabled structures (oriented east to west) connected by a fully glazed vestibule. The entrance sits at the opposite end of the pool terrace, where large openings on both facades frame panoramic views of the valley beyond. The roof features deep overhangs to offer shade throughout the day…