Kao Design Group collaborated with a team of planners, biologists, geologists, and engineers to develop a careful environmental impact analysis of bio-resources and the natural qualities of the Tiburon site. The goal was to optimize the developable land while protecting environmental habitats. By mapping the resources and constraints such as hydrological, landslide, and sensitive vegetation zones, developable building sites were proposed for uniquely designed low profile terraced and earthen hillside houses.  These houses were designed for the micro-climate, passively cooled in summer and solar heated during the winter.  The exposed redwood structure and exteriors will weather to match the adjacent tree groves; the shotcrete and rammed earth walls to blend into the hillside; and vegetated roofs to extend into the meadows.  This project respects ridge conservation, reduces visibility, and emphatically connects the residences to the land.