Construction Philosophy
INTRODUCTION
The owners had lived on this property for almost 8 years, in a small bungalow. It was a weekend home. Over the years they worked on developing the site’s landscape, planting olive trees, working with arborists to rejuvenate and restore the optimal health of the 200 year-old oak trees. In May 2000, they retained Polly Ogden, of Polly Ogden Associates (POA), to design and build a permanent estate home and guest house. Ground-breaking happened on July 22, 2000, and the owners moved into the completed Main House in October, 2001. It would be the only project that Polly Ogden and her team would work on, and it received their complete attention for 16 months.
"A home should be designed to take care of its occupants, and not the other way around." Walter Gropius circa 1919
PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
The owners wanted a house that would be unlike the Tuscan and French estates so popular in Napa Valley. They wanted a house with a city-feel, a metro sensibility combined with the warm textures of wine country living. The goal was to create a contemporary home that would evolve naturally into the future, and require minimal upkeep and care. Above everything, they would make no compromises to the quality of construction, materials and craftsmanship in the building. Because the owners would work from their home, the space needed to reflect state of the art technology infrastructure, while separating the work from living spaces. It needed to be a friendly environment for extended family, and there needed to be room enough for guests and grandchildren without compromising the owners' quiet spaces.
STATEMENTS FROM DESIGNER AND BUILDER, POLLY OGDEN, POLLY OGDEN ASSOCIATES:
“ ......I had worked with the owners over the years to do some renovating of their weekend home, and we met frequently to brainstorm the possibilities of building a new home. I watched this property through many different seasons, and spent a lot of time on the site. For example, my first set of plans were done in 1995, so we all had a long runway to launching the final design.....this project is what every architect and builder dreams about -- clients you like and respect, who are willing to invest in quality construction, who know what they want, who are open to ideas and suggestions, and who trust the process......it makes everything easier and so much more creative.....The actual structural engineering was complex and there were many challenges to the site.....specifically, we wanted the house to appear to have always been here. It could not dominate the setting, or dwarf the neighbors on this private lane.....the owners wanted many “healthy house features” and they worked with us to research and specify those...... they also wanted it to be a “simple smart home”. They wanted all the technology and infrastructure of the future with an easy user interface.....a high-tech non-technical house......a huge investment has been made in simplifying the impact of the technology infrastructure while making sure it can’t be outgrown in the next 20 years.....everyone who is in the trades who visits the house loves the attention to construction detail....and that created a lot of pride from everyone involved on the project.....the energy that went into the building of this environment was so positive......this is a house that will only grow in value as it matures....”
Barbara Lai Allen
Pacific Union Real Estate Group, Ltd.
1508 Main Street
St. Helena, California 94574
(707) 967-1355 Phone
(707) 967-0404 Fax
(707) 337-0088 Cellular
blaiallen@sbcglobal.net
