Sugar Loaf Ridge reflects part of the unceded tribal lands of the aboriginal Southern Wintun Indian tribe and suffered the consequences of the Glass Fire. Reflecting the Wintun's holistic spirit and agricultural methodologies who routinely burned this land thus ensuring its own regeneration, this project's mission honors the spirit and energy of their resilient practices. Regeneration is the primary conceptual underpinning of the Sugar Loaf Ridge Project. Principles of sustainability are thoroughly and systemically integrated - leveraging eco-friendly building techniques, sourced materials + energy efficient systems.

The building's forms and site orientations are optimized for passive solar heating/cooling, providing natural light-maximizing sun exposure to the PV and Integrated Concentrating Solar Façades (HeliOptix) systems. These systems independently offer higher power output than conventional solar, providing 100% of each building’s energy requirements. Water necessities are met through on-site systems, with 80% of rainwater from the roof captured, stored and filtered for potable water. Greywater is recycled for irrigation and on-site micro-farming walls + an integrated Active Modular Phytoremediation System (FABS).

Materials are limited to low-carbon concrete/rammed earth, steel, glass and wood. Resilient to fire, the non-combustible materiality and construction of each building provides solid protective enclosures while accentuating the breathtaking vistas of surrounding lands and diversity of wildlife. Extensive defensible open space for fire protection surround each structure with native vegetation. As represented, a minimalist aesthetic is composed of limited materials, primarily low carbon concrete, steel, glass and FSC certified wood.

All building materials are required to meet/exceed the most stringent fire codes, are sprinklered, and it's adaptable components and modules will have the ability to be reasonably rebuilt in the future, if necessary. At the Berrelleza Research Center, R&D and educational programming focusing on resilient/sustainable agriculture practices, wine and construction methodologies will be offered to the public by a diverse set of practitioners and educators, ranging from local native tribal educators to academics.

The R&D aspirational goal is to develop innovative, integrated, net-zero systems that exceed current mandates and will play a key role in formulating climate policies. Maximum defensible space surrounds each building with native plants in strategic areas. The building designs contain no ornamentation nor eves in order to control ember suppression. These strategies are employed to address standards of the WUI criteria. Each of the residences, research center and out buildings will include a discrete grey water system ensuring irrigation and rain capturing systems, storing water during seasons of extreme drought.

All plumbing fixtures and septic systems will reflect the most efficient and resilient available. The residences differ in size, between 1,500-3,250 sq. ft., each satisfying a range of needs and accommodating a minimum of 2 - 6 residents. Our collaborative relationship with the client resulted in forging optimum solutions ensuring that the project tred lightly on the land, offer resilient forecasting and offset construction costs. The efficient, multi-functional, compact floor plans offer interior flex spaces, as needed.

Please note: Photo Credit- Lake Berryessa,© Robynn Lynn Frederick, 2022.