American firm Craig Steely Architecture has encircled this California dwelling with a curvy wall, which keeps views focused upward rather than outward.

The Roofless House is located in Atherton, a Silicon Valley town that sits just down the road from Stanford University. The suburban community is characterised by mature trees and large homes tucked behind fences.

Given the region's temperate climate, the client wanted a house where they could spend ample time outdoors. There were complications, however, as her long and narrow property offers less-than-optimal views.

"Her view on all sides was of the backs of the neighbouring houses which, like most typical suburban houses, are huge and blank," said Craig Steely Architecture, a studio with offices in in San Francisco and Hawaii.
A clever solution was devised. Rather than providing horizontal views, the team focused on directing views upward, toward the tree canopy and ever-changing sky. This was achieved by encircling the single-storey home with a sinuous wooden wall that rises 14.5 feet (4.4 metres).

"What sets this building apart is the continuous curving wall that surrounds it," the team said. "It fully encloses the house, blocking out the less desirable views, focusing on the more meaningful views, and creating interest as the sunlight and shadows move through the day along its surfaces."

Within the wall is a series of flat-roofed volumes linked by a long breezeway and set among open...