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The Charm of a Curved Grass Roof Framing the California Ocean

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The Dani Ridge House in California from Carver + Schicketanz features a sweetly amusing curved grass roof set atop an ocean view.

Clad in warm earthy timbers, the gentle home exudes comfort from its hilltop perch overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean.

The house creates a sheltered patio from the prevailing winds.

Contrasting with the earthy timbers holding up the green roof, glass boxes evoke the hues of the ocean beyond.

Part of the house is buried inside the hilltop, partially concealing it from view.

Only the see-through living room and the back of the master bedroom is exposed.

The master bedroom enjoys totally untrammeled views out, while being sealed off from spying eyes of the neighbors uphill.

In a bathroom, the earthy mix of textured colors is suggestive of the ocean.

In another, an intriguing simple glass box is constructed as a washbasin.

Local stone is gathered to create the retaining wall squaring off the hill, while the slice of green turfed curved roof extends forward over the transparent living room.

The thick green roof helps insulate the roof, while double pane glass insulates the sides and the thick stone floor acts as a thermal sink, storing up the warmth of the California sunshine.

All the utilities are concealed underground, including a 5,000 gallon water tank to harvest rainwater.

In sum, checking off all the eco boxes, the architects have created a true Northern Californian idyll.