The Marin Oak Courtyard House
A Certified Passive House woven through a heritage grove of valley oaks.
Architectural Data
- Lead Architect
- Bonnie Wedster (Principal)
- Structural Engineer
- Forell & Associates
- Landscape Architect
- Bay Area Native Habitats
- General Contractor
- GreenStone Craft Guild
- Energy & Sustainability
- PHIUS Certified Passive House
- Zinc Standing-Seam Roofing
- Locally Sourced Western Red Cedar
- Triple-Glazed Swiss Lift-and-Slide Doors
- Hydronic Radiant Polished Terrazzo
Designed around three 150-year-old protected valley oaks, this residence demonstrates that stringent Passive House envelope standards can coexist with floor-to-ceiling transparency and natural warmth.
Preserving Ancient Giants
When our clients purchased the property, the building envelope was severely constrained by the root-protection zones of three magnificent California valley oaks. Traditional continuous foundation trenching would have severed vital root systems and condemned the trees.
BONARCH developed a sensitive foundation strategy utilizing micro-pile pin foundations and cantilevered grade beams, essentially allowing the structure to hover lightly above the root bed without disturbing the mycorrhizal soil network.
High-Performance Enclosure
Certified under the rigorous PHIUS standard, the home features a continuous airtight thermal envelope, continuous exterior cork insulation, and balanced Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) that maintains pristine indoor air quality during California wildfire seasons.
Project Gallery
