Jess Field, half of the father-and-son team that lead FIELD Architecture joins the podcast to talk about their unique approach to design. Along with their father Stan Field, the firm has a strong passion for designing in natural terrain and letting the topography of the site generate the flow of the house. Field discusses their approach to some of their more unique projects like the madrone Ridge house and The Big Sur House that incorporates a bridge over a ravine to connect two buildings. The Field family brings a very specific, nature-based perspective to architecture, born out of multi-generations of designers and a love of surfing.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the relationship Field searches for between landscape and residential architecture by identifying key site-specific factors that influence design choices, such as topography and climate.

2. Discuss the pavilion-style residential layout Field employs and explain how breaking up spaces into smaller, functional units impacts both aesthetics and user experience compared to open floor plans.

3. Evaluate the impact of natural elements, such as sunlight, wind, and water, on architectural design by assessing how these factors inform building placement and material choices in the Madrone Ridge and Big Sur projects.

4. List the principles of environmentally responsive design supported by Field and how these impact the occupants and surrounding community.

Credits: 0.5 AIA LU/HSW

Speaker: Aaron Prinz