amnesia house: garde hvalsøe crafts a fire-resistant retreat in california’s napa valley

a home lightly scattered across a sensitive landscape

Garde Hvalsøe partners with Edmonds + Lee Architects to dot a 19-acre swath of California’s Napa Valley with this single-story Amnesia House. Conceived as a rural counterpart to the clients’ San Francisco home, the project occupies a narrow ledge within a rugged landscape shaped by steep slopes and under the constant risk of wildfires.

The house reads as a low, horizontal presence aligned east to west. Two parallel gabled volumes sit lightly on the site, joined by a fully glazed vestibule that frames views across the valley. Large openings on both facades draw daylight deep into the plan, while deep roof overhangs and operable louvres temper sun and shade through the day.

amnesia house garde hvalsøe
images © Joe Fletcher

Garde Hvalsøe’s collaboration with Edmonds + Lee Architects

Before this collaboration with Danish company Garde Hvalsøe, the team at Edmonds + Lee Architects had previously worked with the owners on an urban residence in San Francisco. Here, the architectural approach shifts toward openness and repose. The plan spreads laterally, encouraging movement between interior rooms, terraces, and the pool without hierarchy. The entrance sequence reverses expectations, guiding visitors past the water toward the living spaces.

Site placement follows the terrain rather than reshaping it. Limited access and steep topography informed a careful siting strategy that preserves existing drainage patterns and vegetation. By settling the structure onto a narrow shelf, the design maintains geological features while meeting slope restrictions. This way, the landscape remains visually continuous around the building.

amnesia house garde hvalsøe
Amnesia House sits lightly on a narrow ledge in Napa Valley

Inside the Amnesia House

Garde Hvalsøe’s contribution to the Amnesia House centers on oak millwork that runs through bedrooms, office spaces, closets, and shared rooms. The cabinetry establishes a consistent tactile presence, balancing precision with warmth. Bespoke bunk beds and storage elements developed by the company’s Atelier extend this approach into custom furniture scaled to the rooms.

The kitchen draws from the Danish company’s Solid model, paired with bathroom furniture in the same material language. Terrazzo-ground concrete floors continue from interior to exterior, reinforcing a sense of continuity. The subdued palette allows light, shadow, and seasonal change to guide the atmosphere rather than surface contrast.

amnesia house garde hvalsøe
the residence is composed of two parallel gabled volumes

Environmental strategies for resilience

Wildfire considerations shaped decisions from form to material selection. Steel cladding wraps the exterior, offering inherent fire resistance while expressing a restrained agricultural character. The weathering surface closes gaps that could admit embers, and the roof remains largely uninterrupted, reducing vulnerable points along the envelope.

An exterior fire sprinkler system further supports long-term resilience. These measures reflect an ethical stance toward durability and stewardship, prioritizing safety and reduced material replacement over time while maintaining architectural restraint.

amnesia house garde hvalsøe
a glazed connector frames long views across the valley