Despite an extremely steep, almost undevelopable, wooded site, the Overlook Guest House strategically creates a new fully accessible indoor/outdoor dwelling unit that allows an aging family member to remain close by and at home.

© Matthew Millman

Architects: Schwartz and Architecture · Office Profile

Location: Los Gatos, CA, USA

Area: 775.0 ft2

Project Year: 2015

Photographs: Matthew Millman · Photographer Profile

Structural: iAssociates

Civil: MH Engineering

Civil Site Surveyor: LC Engineering

Geotechnical Engineering: Pacific Geotechnical Engineering

Landscape: Landfour

Mep: Soldata Energy Consulting
Lighting: Pritchard/Peck Lighting

© Matthew Millman

From the architect. Despite an extremely steep, almost undevelopable, wooded site, the Overlook Guest House strategically creates a new fully accessible indoor/outdoor dwelling unit that allows an aging family member to remain close by and at home.

© Matthew Millman

Designing a fully accessible new home for a mobility-impaired aging in-law on a steep and wooded hillside site requires a highly efficient and site sensitive footprint, already both hallmarks of good sustainable design.

Floor Plan

This 2-bedroom, 775 sq ft home employs a low-...