Hillside Pool House

Centered over the pool, the pergola establishes a visual and physical axis that seamlessly connects the two built environments—perhaps the main house and a guest pavilion, or a series of outdoor living spaces—inviting movement and interaction. This axis not only defines spatial relationships but also creates an intentional alignment that draws the eye across the water’s surface, integrating architecture and landscape.

The mechanical and pool house itself is thoughtfully designed to recede into the hillside, its vegetated roof blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

The dovetail joinery, a hallmark of traditional woodworking, is used to articulate the structure’s connections, celebrating craftsmanship and integrity without relying on visible metal fasteners. This method evokes a sense of timelessness while enhancing the material honesty of the redwood timbers.

Above, the pergola’s open lattice roof filters sunlight, casting dappled shadows across the pool deck while providing a subtle enclosure. At night, concealed lighting integrated into the timber elements accentuates the warm grain of the redwood and the precision of the joinery, transforming the pergola into a luminous feature against the dark hillside.

This design strategy minimizes its visual presence, allowing the pergola to take center stage and emphasizing a composition that is truly focused on the natural environment. The juxtaposition of bold timber construction with the soft, planted roofline creates a layered experience where architecture yields to nature.