A former boss of San Francisco architect Malcolm Davis once described houses as “a few rooms in case of rain,” emphasizing the connection of any structure to its surroundings. In 2015 Davis had the chance to put his mentor’s adage into practice when he designed an off-the-grid house for a nature-loving family on 165 acres in Healdsburg, California. With only three rooms, almost no furniture, and wood stoves for heat, “it’s kind of the sparest version of what a weekend house can be,” says Davis. Let’s take a look.
Photography by Joe Fletcher, courtesy of Malcolm Davis Architecture.
![family camp estate california wood gravel](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/family-camp-estate-california-wood-gravel-733x976.jpg)
![corrugated metal siding pool house northern california](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/corrugated-metal-siding-pool-house-northern-california-733x976.jpg)
![interior plywood room carpet wood stove healdsburg 2](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/interior-plywood-room-carpet-wood-stove-healdsburg-2-733x979.jpg)
![interior plywood room carpet wood stove healdsburg](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/interior-plywood-room-carpet-wood-stove-healdsburg-733x979.jpg)
![commercial industrial stainless kitchen inside camp estate healdsburg](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/commercial-industrial-stainless-kitchen-inside-camp-estate-healdsburg-733x979.jpg)
![outdoor covered screened dining porch kitchen corrugated roof](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/outdoor-covered-screened-dining-porch-kitchen-corrugated-roof-733x979.jpg)
![screened pool porch dining table california wine country](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/screened-pool-porch-dining-table-california-wine-country-733x547.jpg)
![pool house bathroom metal siding plywood cubbies](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/pool-house-bathroom-metal-siding-plywood-cubbies-733x979.jpg)
“I love exposing structure,” said Davis, “and telling the story of how something is built.”
![pool house shower metal walls wood stool malcolm davis](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/pool-house-shower-metal-walls-wood-stool-malcolm-davis-733x982.jpg)
![outdoor shower northern california wood siding](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/outdoor-shower-northern-california-wood-siding-733x979.jpg)
![healdsburg california wine country camp estate pool porch](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/healdsburg-california-wine-country-camp-estate-pool-porch-733x549.jpg)
For more camp-style spaces, see:
- Glamping Roundup: 12 Favorite Design-Worthy Camps, Tented Edition
- Steal This Look: Tent Bedroom at El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas
- Heritage Camping in Canada, No Hardship Required
- Safari-Style Camping in Colorado, Glam Bedding Included
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on May 17, 2017.
Frequently asked questions
What is the location of the campground in California wine country?
The campground is located in the heart of Sonoma wine country, in Petaluma, California.
What amenities are offered at the campground?
The campground offers a lap pool, hot tub, playground, volleyball court, and a clubhouse with billiards and table tennis.
Is the campground family-friendly?
Yes, the campground is designed to be family-friendly with amenities for kids and adults alike.
Are pets allowed at the campground?
Yes, the campground is pet-friendly but rules and restrictions apply. Please contact the campground for more details.
Do I need to bring my own camping equipment?
Yes, you need to bring your own camping equipment as the campground does not provide tents or RVs.
Is there wine-tasting available nearby?
Yes, the campground is located in Sonoma wine country, so there are numerous wineries in the area that offer wine-tasting.
Is there a minimum stay required at the campground?
Yes, there is a two-night minimum stay required on weekends and a three-night minimum stay required on holiday weekends.
Is there a cancellation policy for reservations?
Yes, there is a 14-day cancellation policy for reservations. If you cancel within 14 days of your reservation, you will forfeit your deposit.
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