The challenge was to design a unique and intimate 62-room boutique luxury hotel and spa on a two hectare site in the heart of Napa Valley. The intent was to create a cutting edge green design with an atmosphere of warmth and community inspired by the architecture and wine culture of Napa Valley. The project was designed to reflect a blending of the Valley’s agrarian character, a refined environment associated with the region’s wines, and an indoor/outdoor atmosphere. Its amenities include a spa facility with a roof top lap pool, conference facilities with state of the art presentation capabilities, full service fine dining restaurant and lounge, large guestrooms to accommodate in room spa treatments. The following sustainable design measures are incorporated into the project:

Site
1. Vineyards buffer the hotel and spa from the road, minimizing visual impact to the community as well as creating a greenbelt and enhanced pedestrian corridor along the street.
2.Site and drainage planning has been engineered so the creek’s integrity will be kept intact.
3.Vehicular access through the site is limited. Guests will have access to public and private spaces via walkways and electric service carts.

Energy
1. 947 solar panels produce over 200,000 kWh of electricity annually, providing approximately one-half the total electrical energy requirement of the property.
2. The energy required for heating and cooling the guestroom units and the spa building originates from a closed loop geothermal heat pump system consisting of 80 bores, 300 feet deep.
3. Sun-shading devices on the exterior of the buildings are the first line of ‘defense’ against heat gain and glare but still allow for visibility.
4.The guestrooms are equipped with smart sensors such that when rooms are not in use they are not conditioned spaces. When the guestrooms are empty, the control system will automatically shut down the systems to conserve energy. Guestrooms have operable windows for natural ventilation.
5.Energy efficient light fixtures are standard throughout.

Materials
1. The primary exterior building materials are concrete-block, wood, and steel. The design intent is that of a very tactile experience, so that guests can closely relate to the site and the region. The materials are natural and timeless, and will have a natural patina process that will help the entire development age with an intentional evolution of the material’s characteristics.
2. Over 20% of the materials are regional.
3. Recycled materials and materials with recycled content were used.

Water
1. The native plantings and succulents in the landscape bring down irrigation usage.
2. Efficient plumbing fixtures including waterless urinals reduce annual water usage.

IEQ & Thermal Comfort
1. Each guestroom has six foot high garden walls to enhance privacy.
2. Water features near public spaces keep ambient exterior temperatures lower, which in turn keep the ambient interior temperatures lower.
3. The materials for the public and private interior spaces all have low VOC’s.
4. The site planning is such that the views are maximized for every guestroom.