Martis Camp-77/78
This project was the very first custom residence built in Martis Camp. It entailed a very aggressive construction schedule of one year for +/-9,000 sq. ft. of refined finishes and hillside building. This home is a perfect blend of the owning couple's tastes: the husband preferred and Arts and Crafts influence with a strong affection for redwood and cherry, the wife preferred modern architecture and furnishings. Both required a regional appropriate approach. The resulting design is spacious, light and airy with a strong connection to the outdoors. The lightness was achieved by an aggressive use of windows including a full wrap-around clerestory on the Great Room. The strong tie to the outdoors was achieved by extensive us of stone flooring in the common areas that flow directly onto terraces on both sides of the home. A custom 20 foot wide by 10 foot tall lift-slide door system frames the view of Mount Rose and the associated alpen glow from the Great Room. The line between indoors and out is purposefully blurred.
The clients desired that a particular stone be used that they had on their Woodside residence dating to the 1960s. We were successful in finding the exact quarry still operating in the Sierras. The use of this stone is prolific on this project and is used to surgically stitch the home to the hillside and offer a timeless quality.
Another goal of the home was to have an intimate feel for a couple yet be able to absorb three full families with children during visits with limited chaos. The isolated master suite with an office and sitting room just off the Great Room and a wing containing three separate guest suites, two bunk rooms, and an enviable rumpus room achieves this goal.
The outdoor terraces with a fireplace to the west and a fire pit to the east and a dining area to the south overlooking a lush lawn hidden from the street are a perfect response to the ever-changing weather conditions at 7,000 ft. elevation.
The use of custom light fixtures, custom furniture, hand-forged ironwork, and a unique tile blend modern and craftsman and is delicately pulled-off.
Due to the size and one-story preference, hallways were inevitable. The unique design solution of creating hipped ceilinged arrival nodes with a sun-lit gallery connecting the two gave the opportunity for a custom detail of having the skylights light the gallery through a suspended ceiling with custom hand crafted light fixtures.
| Location: | Martis Camp |
| Style: | Craftsman |
| Architect: | Kurt Reinkens - MWA, Inc. |
| Structural Engineer: | MWA, Inc. |
| Builder: | Jim Morrison Construction |
| Landscape Designer: | Rare Earth Landscape Construction, and L&P Designworks |
| Interior Designer: | Terry Hurt Interior Design, and Owner |
| Photographer: | Ethan Rohloff |
| Year Completed: | 2009 |
| Square Feet: | 8,616 |
At Spirit Interior Design, we have had the pleasure on numerous occasions to work with Kurt Reinkens and the team at MWA, Inc. Each time the collaboration has culminated in dynamic, successful projects that not only relay the creative talents of the architects, but are sensitive to the needs our clients. We have been thoroughly impressed in MWA’s ability to provide architectural services in a professional, timely fashion while always being mindful of the project budget. They possess the unique ability to skillfully facilitate and coordinate work between design team members, contractors, the building trades, consultants, and the end users.
MWA’s clear and concise communication skills and solid project administration have made our collaborations with their office smooth and efficient. Familiar with the politics and issues local to the Tahoe region, Kurt and his team have a proven track record in representing their clients’ interests in a variety of settings. Their team is motivated, well-organized, and possess the ability to move though issues as they arise, and simply “make things happen.” They appear at ease in a leadership role, frequently attaining the best work from their consultants, and understand that great design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. While one senses a certain amount of pride in their design skills, we have seen first-hand their ability to set aside personal ego, and work toward enhancing the team. I count this among their greatest assets.
Of course, a primary reason one hires an architect is to help make a building project a reality in the most creative, aesthetically appealing way possible. At this, MWA truly shines. Their experienced design staff is “top notch,” and is especially adept at creating spaces that are both energetic and harmonious while relating design elements and concepts to the existing environment and site conditions.
It is my opinion that if you choose to work with MWA, Inc., you will be virtually assured a successful project and, by way of getting there, a professional, quality service from one of the best design firms in the region.
MWA’s clear and concise communication skills and solid project administration have made our collaborations with their office smooth and efficient. Familiar with the politics and issues local to the Tahoe region, Kurt and his team have a proven track record in representing their clients’ interests in a variety of settings. Their team is motivated, well-organized, and possess the ability to move though issues as they arise, and simply “make things happen.” They appear at ease in a leadership role, frequently attaining the best work from their consultants, and understand that great design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. While one senses a certain amount of pride in their design skills, we have seen first-hand their ability to set aside personal ego, and work toward enhancing the team. I count this among their greatest assets.
Of course, a primary reason one hires an architect is to help make a building project a reality in the most creative, aesthetically appealing way possible. At this, MWA truly shines. Their experienced design staff is “top notch,” and is especially adept at creating spaces that are both energetic and harmonious while relating design elements and concepts to the existing environment and site conditions.
It is my opinion that if you choose to work with MWA, Inc., you will be virtually assured a successful project and, by way of getting there, a professional, quality service from one of the best design firms in the region.
Spirit Interior Design