A corner of the eco refuge house's front elevation. Copyright Richard Olsen 2016

An entrance gate gives way to the grounds. Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

The site includes a regulation gravel bocce court.

Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

A root chair next to the pond and fountain—another quiet zone.

Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

Adjacent the sliding glass doors of the kitchen/den/dining area/tv corner and hemmed in by apple trees and rosemary is an expansive terrace with water elements and outdoor furniture and a BBQ.

Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

The house's formal entrance features a monumental chainsaw-carved door made of reclaimed solid redwood, all the work of the late sculptor J.B. Blunk.

Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

Designed for casual entertaining, the kitchen interacts with the dining area, tv nook, and den and occupies one end of the 1,000-square-foot Japanese-style pavilion. Equipment includes a dishwasher, two sinks, espresso machine, and ample counter space for prepping fruits and vegetables taken from the garden and orchards right outside the door.

Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

Offers an additional informal sleeping area. Swivelling Smart TV allows flexibility for viewing from different positions in the room.

One of three first-floor bedrooms has a portion of the Van der Ryn Architecture and ecology library. Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

Part of the extensive library and the bathroom visible behind.

In the second-floor bath, more architectural salvage and a carved wood sink by sculptor J.B. Blunk remind of the house's history as an icon of first-generation environmental architecture. Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

The second-floor living room has high ceilings, walls of windows overlooking the gardens, and a wood-burning stove. Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

The third-floor master suite's bedroom is designed to receive late-morning sunlight and overlooks a large edible garden and orchards.

Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

The “Roost” has a separate entrance and outside area from the rest of the house, and is named after being close to the chicken coop. No roosters though.

The arch in the Refuge's meadow. Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

Queen size futon sofa may easily be converted to be a queen size bed.

The house's rear elevation is engulfed by a thriving edible garden. Just outside the house, at the edge of the garden, is an intimate dining area. Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

Van der Ryn on the ladder-accessible stargazing platform/outdoor bed. 2nd outdoor shower and changing area, greenhouse, lemon trees, and the berry patch are close by. Photo by Richard Olsen. 2016

Enjoy the chemical free, hydrogen peroxide sanitized spa.

Back garden and Eco-Refuge viewable behind.

Flowers in the Eco-Refuge back garden. Photo by Sim Van der Ryn.

Flowers in the Eco-Refuge’s back garden. Photo by Sim Van der Ryn.

Sim is holding a watercolor he just painted of the Eco-Refuge. Photo by Micah Van der Ryn

This 3 inch giant glass bowl was a surplus item obtained from NASA in 1995.

The design is of a six-pointed Star of David, with a redwood tree planted near the end of each ray of the star – five of the trees stand for each member of the family of Sim’s procreation: wife, Mimi Wolfe, and three children. The sixth tree – standing for the divine source of creation – grows on the longest ray which extends outside the larger circle. A spiral path with heart-shaped stepping stones leads into the inner circle of unity. Garden design by Micah Van der Ryn. Photograph by Micah Van der Ryn.

A stone spiral and spiral stone heart path signifying the spiral of life should be filled with love and compassion.