Sonoma County Sanctuary – And NO It’s NOT A Church!
June 27th, 2009 categories: Buyer Resource
This Sonoma Valley Mountaintop Masterpiece was designed by Douglas Pinter, developer and principal designer of Portico West Inc. The design was inspired by Philip Johnson’s Glass House. Inspiration was also drawn from an unnamed Portuguese ruin whose landscape had similar topographical features. The views from this modern mountaintop masterpiece are of Sonoma Valley, Valley of the Moon, and San Francisco. On a clear day the visibility can reach 60 miles or more.
This hilltop retreat is also a study in anthropological design as well. Early cave dwellers was thought to seek shelter where their backs were protected and the view allowed them to see any approaching enemy.
Complete privacy was an overriding goal in this design. With 18 acres upon a Sonoma mountain, this goal was certainly achieved.
The entrance gates are made of corrugated steel, that naturally rusts to a gorgeous reddish brown hue. The gates can be remotely opened and feature a keypad for entrance, and also a camera with continuous video so you can see who is at your gate.
The Portico West house is made of concrete, and has a modern sleek design equipped with photovoltaic panels. The PV system is 5.4 kilowatts, allowing for all your electrical needs. The pool has been raised 18 inches to become a water feature and design element. The pool is heated year round for maximum usability. The floor has been made to be a radiant heat floor for maximum efficiency.
Commercial grade aluminum doors and windows. Metal security shutters allow for shade, insulation and security. The concrete and metal structure allow for ultimate ease of use and easy maintenance.
Water is sourced from a well with Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. The well is drilled to a depth of 850 feet, and the water is also treated with UV light for maximum purification.
Double wall construction allows for a great look, solid security, and energy efficiency. The interior is lit with low voltage art lighting. This allows you to illuminate the walls to create the sense of an expansive space.
The cabinets are made from teak wood that is cut on the horizontal grain. This is very ecologically friendly.
The kitchen has been designed around efficient flow. It is logically laid out, and features amazing cabinetry, a butlers pantry, double ovens and wine pantry cooled naturally to about 60 degrees. The kitchen is equipped for any master chef with a 6 burner Wolf gas range, Sub Zero refrigerator, and dish drawers to reduce clutter.
This Portico West home features a media room with a high definition projector that shows the most amazing details. The screen can be easily hidden with sliding cabinets doors.
Good design becomes poetic. Design can be distilled down to its raw elements, and that is what this property does. This Portico West home is one of those properties that is Truly Amazing.
Listing courtesy of Sotheby’s International Realty.
