OAKLAND HILLS HOUSE 2

Oakland, California

1994

The mass of this house is organized under a thin horizontal plane that extends out over a steep, sloping site. Eight steel columns embedded in the building's center support a pair of steel beams that cantilever 20 feet at each end and support the steel roof. Horizontal wood boards accentuate the connection to the ground by repeating a level datum. Walls do not connect with the roof but stop short, the gap bridged by a band of glass. A sitting area is surrounded by frameless panels of glass, causing the roof to appear to hover above the floor without support.



On the slope of a hill, a horizontal line represents stability. Jim Jennings's contribution to the collective well-being of fire-wreaked Oakland is this stunning instance of design rationale and pure grace.

Robb Report 01/02