Architects: Faulkner Architects
Interior Designer: NICOLEHOLLIS
Area: 3,800 ft²
Year: 2021
Photography: Joe Fletcher
Faulkner Architects Team: Gregory Faulkner, Christian Carpenter, Jenna Shropshire, Ann Darby
General Contractor: Jim Morrison Construction
Structural Engineering: CFBR Structural Group
Civil Engineering: Shaw Engineering
MEP: Sugarpine Engineering
Surveyor: Webb Land Surveying, Inc.
Geotechnical: Nortech Geotechnical Consultants
Title 24: Monterey Energy Group
Location: Lake Tahoe, California
Country: United States
CAMPout, a private residence designed by Faulkner Architects with interiors by NICOLEHOLLIS in Lake Tahoe, California, expands an existing home while addressing wildfire resilience and environmental integration. Situated on a north-facing slope, the house overlooks Martis Valley and Lookout Mountain, surrounded by a dense forest of 100-year-old Jeffrey pines. The design employs fire-resistant materials, including concrete, steel, and basalt, with limited glazing on the exterior for added protection. A central courtyard, shielded from external hazards, organizes the layout while maximizing daylight and connection to the natural surroundings. The primary living space is housed in a concrete pavilion with a pitched steel roof and clerestory windows, offering panoramic views and passive solar benefits. By embedding the structure into the hillside and using locally inspired materials, the residence achieves a balance between durability and a seamless relationship with the landscape.
CAMPout was designed as an expansion of an existing property near Lake Tahoe, integrating the home into its steep, north-facing site. Mature Jeffrey pines surround the residence, framing Martis Valley and Lookout Mountain views while providing a natural buffer. Rather than following a visually driven design approach, the project emphasizes material integrity and a direct response to environmental conditions. The material palette draws from the site itself, incorporating basalt, steel, and unfinished native cedar to establish a cohesive relationship with the rugged landscape. Rust-colored pine needles covering the forest floor further inform the home’s earthy tones. To enhance fire resistance, exterior glazing is minimized, while larger openings face the courtyard, where light and forest views are safely introduced into the interior.
The structure of CAMPout is embedded into the terrain, with private sleeping quarters wrapping around the courtyard to create a sense of enclosure and seclusion. The main gathering space, a concrete pavilion, bridges the courtyard and the expansive views beyond. A thin steel shed roof angles upward, maximizing sunlight and directing sightlines toward the ski runs on Lookout Mountain. Built with double 8-inch concrete walls filled with foam insulation, the structure ensures both thermal efficiency and fire resilience. These walls extend up to meet the low side of the roof, while clerestory windows in the triangular void between the concrete and steel introduce soft, diffused light into the interior.
The material choices reinforce both the durability and contextual harmony of the CAMPout. Concrete and steel-framed windows form a protective envelope, while the unfinished cedar interior maintains a raw, tactile quality. Basalt flooring grounds the home in its natural setting, mirroring the volcanic rock formations found in the region. Blackened steel casework integrates with the exposed steel elements, creating a unified aesthetic. Circulation paths around the courtyard connect sleeping areas to the main pavilion through glazed walkways, fostering a dynamic relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. The arrangement evokes a campsite, where movement between rooms is framed by nature. Furnishings continue the material language, ensuring cohesion between architecture and interior elements.
As climate change intensifies wildfire risks, CAMPout demonstrates the importance of fire-conscious design in residential architecture. The project integrates non-combustible materials and a protective spatial layout, prioritizing safety without compromising the connection to its surroundings. By considering fire resilience as an integral part of the design process, the residence serves as a model for sustainable and site-sensitive construction in vulnerable landscapes.
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Project Location
Address: Lake Tahoe, California, United States
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
