Wovoka, Private Residence, Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Wovoka is a unique, three-structure residential compound on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Working with Costa Brown Architecture, Inc. of San Francisco, California, Heather & Little fabricated and installed the roof, a decorative copper entrance, garage doorways and a 10-foot by 20-foot wide main gateway in heavy gage copper for this private family retreat. The motorized gate features interlocking copper sheet panels and mesh. One of the most striking elements of this standout project are the custom-designed tree-branch-stamped 20-ounce copper shingles, approximately 18" x 48", and interlocked standing seams that have been installed diagonally to resist ice dam formation. The copper shingles were installed on all of the roofs throughout the compound and are also a key element of the roof fascia. Highly sculptural batten points create an interplay of light and shadow patterns on the building facade and ground. The Wovoka compound was designed and constructed with an intense attention to detail. Chimney caps are fabricated of copper inside and out, while the main chimney is graced with a nine-foot copper finial that depicts the Wovoka motif. The teak front door is surrounded by inlaid copper panels and is topped by a copper-framed window. The custom copper Kalamein garage doors feature overlapping batten details.

Most of the panels, roof-edge batten points, and details were fitted on site by our expert coppersmiths using an on-site break to fabricate the interlocking copper system and connections. The interlocking panel system (with no soldering) allows for expansion and contraction, which will increase the longevity of this project for many generations. The copper is now in the process of oxidizing and is as stunning today as when the private compound was built just over a decade ago. It received a North American Copper in Architecture Award.