Murray Silverstein of JSWD Architects of Berkeley (www.jswdarch.com) and Jim teamed up for the project in North Davis Farms. Murray's focus and expertise in sustainable building technologies was important to Jim. The home site sits along the northwest corner of North Davis Farms. Its orientation along the perimeter of the development and near a large pond created certain environmental sensitivities to be incorporated into the design process. Jim's background in preserving the environment is at the forefront of this outstanding Davis residence.

Murray and his team emphasize incorporating passive solar design, using healthy building materials with no "off gas” vapors as well as screening materials for toxicity (for residents and on-site contractors). JSWD incorporates sustainable building materials such as cement, reclaimed and/or sustainably grown wood. Murray's design approach with his clients involves creating spaces for indoor and outdoor living.

As with any stellar team, there are players who excel in their position. Such is the team Jim had for his new home. Joining Murray on this project was Anna Kondolf of Anna Kondolf Lighting Design (www.kondolf.com), Randy Thueme of Randy Thueme Design (www.randythuemedesign.com) and Elma Gardner of By Design in Davis (www.bydesign-studio.com). Each provided their expertise in design to create the casually elegant home for Jim, his family and friends to enjoy.

From the sidewalk on Northfield, one is taken by the corrugated aluminum roof, the rustic trough water feature and the pop-color of the exterior stucco. Landscape architect Randy Thueme expertly designed an effective combination of California-native plantings that surround the site. The seamlessness with which the residential property blends into the natural setting is noticeable.

While Jim may lead a very corporate life by day, travel to the Sierras and Hawaii has always been a priority. His love and appreciation of the outdoors is evident throughout the home. A dining table crafted in sugar pine by a Tahoe friend sits dominantly in the great room, and a natural cedar mantel adorns the expansive fireplace, which is a focal point of the room. Original art from James Hoyle (www.jameshoyle.net) are warm reminders of time spent on the islands of Hawaii, and visually softens the hard surface of the polished cement flooring.

Elma Gardner of By Design, a local, award-winning kitchen and bath designer, was Jim's designer for this project. She had worked with him previously on his Village Homes house. Having an existing working relationship contributed to the success of this new home's design plan. Elma found Jim to be adventurous and open-minded with design ideas. They both considered the environment outside while developing her interior plans. For example, a beautiful unadorned window above the kitchen sink stands alone simply, with a lovely view to the front entry and large, natural pond. Opposite an expansive and contemporary, stainless hood (www.ventahood.com) and stainless Wolf range sits a large, custom, curved glass countertop. While the stainless hood and stovetop is a focal point in the room, the view out of the sink's window provides what Elma calls, "layered impact" to the design of the total room.

Simple, solid wood cabinets designed by Elma and made by Wood-Mode (www.wood-mode.com) were installed for function. The oil-rubbed knobs and pulls, and the custom paint color for the cabinetry offer a traditional look that sits easily with the more contemporary polished cement flooring and custom glass tabletop and counter. Again, mixing contemporary with traditional style, the modern look of the sink's faucet accompanies the functional large sink with ease. Elma and Jim worked closely to have the house flow easily and honestly. There is an authenticity about the design and its resident; nothing is overdone.

In the master bathroom, Elma brought warmth and serenity using terracotta-veined limestone around the deck and surround of the deep, soaking tub and the large shower. Windows with beautiful millwork along the tub and shower wall frame a view of indigenous plants and native grasses found throughout North Davis Farms. Concrete countertops compliment the flooring and custom wood cabinetry sit below with an interesting floating affect: the cabinets are suspended. The break between the polished cement floor and the wood cabinetry offers a needed lightness in this spa-like room. Ceramic accents by local artists Tom and Sarah Post (www.tspost.com) adorn the countertop, as does a patina-finished, metal-work trout. The warm hues of the wood ceiling further add to the rustic essence of the architectural style, yet there is a contemporary flair, which makes the house perfectly suited for its homeowner.

Barry Landy of RBL Construction was the contractor on this project. Barry was killed in a tragic railroad accident shortly after Jim's home was completed. When asked about his experience working with Barry, Jim could not applaud is workmanship or his character enough. Jim mentioned his exemplary work ethic and the timeliness with which he met all deadlines. Elma concurred with her own experiences working with Barry. She stated, “"With Barry everything was a win-win situation. He was willing to try new things. He enjoyed the challenge of doing things that were different." While writing this article it was clear that the people involved in this project and other work still experience the loss of this much loved man of Davis.

Authenticity, honesty, simplicity –- these are themes that surfaced throughout the project on Northfield Court. When John and Judy Whitcombe purchased the land in North Davis Farms in 1979, they had hoped to create a subdivision in which people could design and live in homes alongside the land as it was. Residents have enhanced the land with additional plantings of valley oaks, toyons and quail bush to name just a few native species. Many birders enjoy the ponds and the wildlife in this neighborhood. In fact, more than 180 species of birds have been identified in this area alone (Yolo County has 220 known species). The meadow habitat is home to wild turkeys, foxes, coyotes and an occasional mountain lion.

Knowing the importance of the natural environment to Jim and the development at large, the landscape architect took special care to select native plants to enhance the existing terrain. However, in the courtyard by the lap pool a lush lawn and large Canary Island date palms take the visitor away to a vacation paradise. Just beyond the long community driveway, Randy planted a grove of Hachiya persimmon trees, which show their glory during the later fall months. Echoing the use of the galvanized steel troughs, Jim created raised beds for his tomato garden using these typically “"ag-use only"” troughs. Complete with a watering system, the shiny containers add some dazzle to his garden.

Lighting designer Anna Kondolf (www.kondolf.com) executed her philosophy that lighting reveals space and accentuates architectural design and is demonstrated with her work on Jim's house. In the courtyard along the warm, terracotta stucco walls are custom-designed lighting shrouds with a contemporary appeal that is simple in shape and positioning of the lighting fixtures. Anna took care to have the environment backlit or she used down lighting along outdoor pathways.

Aside from the uplights facing the palms, all the lighting is purposefully meant to enhance the structure and not take away from the natural evening sky.

Inside Anna created sophisticated lighting statements in task areas and focal areas in which art is displayed. Up-lighting was installed to feature the beautiful exposed beams and ceiling throughout the house. With sophisticated lighting comes sophisticated controls; a centrally located switching system provides the homeowner a way to adjust an entire room or rooms at once, as well as turning off lights with one switch.

This one-story, 3,000-square-foot house is a sanctuary inside and out. The architectural design is a style not of the past, but "of this time."” Jim Bruner, a UC alumnus and local advocate for preserving environmental resources, is a steward of the land in his personal and professional life. He is living out the ideals the Whitcombes had originally envisioned for this North Davis subdivision, as well as his own, in a town he's called home for more than 30 years.