Rau Haus by Feldman Architecture: A Sustainable Sanctuary in Portola Valley

Nestled in the rolling hills of Portola Valley, California, Rau Haus by Feldman Architecture is a modern residential retreat that balances privacy, landscape immersion, and environmental responsibility. Designed for a young family relocating from the city, this 3,433-square-foot home offers expansive views over the Coal Creek Open Space Preserve, while maintaining a quiet dialogue with the natural surroundings.

Site-Sensitive Design Rooted in the Landscape

Carefully sited on an eastern hillside, the L-shaped home gently tucks into the terrain to frame panoramic views and create sheltered outdoor zones. The architectural layout strategically orients private and public living spaces to maximize sightlines toward the distant San Francisco Bay, while shielding the home from neighboring properties above. This sensitive positioning results in a seamless indoor-outdoor experience—where the building itself becomes an extension of the landscape.

Modern Volumes and Intuitive Spatial Flow

The primary volume runs north-south, expanding vertically into a dramatic double-height kitchen and dining area, visually connected to a lofted study and bedrooms on the upper floor. To the east, clerestory windows and light wells filter in morning sun while preserving privacy. A perpendicular single-story wing with a living green roof houses a multipurpose space for fitness, recreation, and social gatherings at pool level. Adjacent to this, an infinity-edge pool blurs the boundary between cultivated garden and untamed meadow.

Material Palette: Durable, Minimal, Contextual

Rau Haus is clad in cement plaster and locally salvaged Monterey Cypress, chosen for their resilience and graceful aging. The Cypress siding, left untreated, weathers naturally, softening the geometric forms and tying the architecture to its wooded surroundings. Inside, the restrained material palette continues—minimal yet tactile, where monolithic concrete, wood textures, and expansive glazing create a calm, airy atmosphere.

Passive Design and Renewable Performance

Built with a strong commitment to sustainability, Rau Haus integrates passive design strategies and advanced systems to achieve year-round comfort and reduce its carbon footprint. Key features include:

A 6.24kW photovoltaic array generating 9,777 kWh annually
Two Heliodyne solar thermal panels connected to a 119-gallon hot water tank
All-electric appliances and a high-efficiency electric heat pump HVAC system
Deep roof overhangs, inset windows, and operable skylights for passive shading and cross-ventilation
Concrete with 30% fly ash to reduce embodied carbon
Locally milled cypress, avoiding chemical treatments or finishes

The result is a home that maintains internal comfort naturally, with outdoor patios at varying orientations offering comfort at different times of the day.

Elevated Details, Thoughtful Execution

“Beneath the quiet design sensibility is a rigorous articulation of forms and spaces that are precisely detailed within a tightly curated material palette,” shares Anjali Iyer, LEED AP, Project Architect. The home is the outcome of close collaboration between design teams, engineers, and skilled builders, ensuring each material junction and spatial connection feels intuitive and intentional.

According to Steven Stept, AIA, Project Principal, “This project allowed us to craft a space of serenity, well-balanced with a design that creates horizontal and vertical connections within and towards the landscape.”

A New Model for Sustainable Family Living

Rau Haus exemplifies the best of contemporary residential architecture—merging sculptural elegance, environmental stewardship, and family-centered design. It is a timeless home that invites nature in, while offering the privacy and flexibility modern life demands.