A sloping site leads down to a tidal creek and the design of the house follows that slope with a massive stone wall four feet (1.2 m) thick that rises to a height of 24 feet (7.3 m). The wall culminates in the light steel structure of the house, dividing the pavilions into private owner’s quarters and more public living spaces. Fireplaces are built within the wall. A second wall built of wood, perpendicular to the stone wall, extends to the separate guest pavilion. The approach to the house is down the slope along the stone wall which gets higher and higher, through a grove of larch trees, deciduous conifers which shield the house from south sun in summer and open it to winter light. Being deciduous the larches welcome the approach with a thick carpet of soft needles.