Jensen Architects' Fire-Resistant Mendocino Home Blends with Old-Growth Oaks
In Mendocino, California, Nadia Oka and Michael Topolovac have developed a retreat spanning 2,025 square feet on a 53-acre site, crafted by Jensen Architects from San Francisco, under the direction of Mark Jensen. This residence, perched on a hilltop at the northwest boundary of the Russian River watershed, includes two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Michael, a skilled product designer, established a welding shop on the premises to create bespoke windows and doors. The design draws inspiration from Jay Appleton's 'prospect-refuge' theory, emphasizing sustainability and fire safety through the use of non-combustible materials and solar energy. Michael advocates for a 'life-of-the-house solution' in terms of materials and design, aiming for enduring value.
Key facts
- Location: Mendocino, California, on a 53-acre plot
- Architect: Mark Jensen, principal of Jensen Architects (San Francisco)
- Homeowners: Nadia Oka and Michael Topolovac
- Size: 2,025 sq ft, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom
- Materials: glass, steel, cast concrete
- Design theory: Jay Appleton's 'prospect-refuge' concept
- Fire safety: no combustible materials, Wildland-Urban Interface certified wood soffit, sprinklers, second water tank
- Sustainability: solar power, passive design
- Homeowner involvement: Michael built custom windows, doors, and metal cladding; modeled in OnShape
- Inspiration: Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack's 2002 song 'Mendocino County Line'
Entities
Artists
- Mark Jensen
- Nadia Oka
- Michael Topolovac
- Jay Appleton
- Willie Nelson
- Lee Ann Womack
Institutions
- Jensen Architects
Locations
- Mendocino
- California
- United States
- San Francisco
- Russian River watershed