feature 001 | 10462 Silverock drive

---

Mr. & Mrs Bruce Rhea were the second owners of 10462 Silverock.  In 1968, they engaged Lambert Landscape Company to work on a plan for both the front and rear of the property.  The plans were completed in April of 1971 and sometime shortly after, fully implemented at a cost of around $4,000 (about $30,000 in 2024 dollars).  Their investment has stood the test of time.

Approaching the grounds from the sidewalk, the gently curved stone walkway entices you toward the entry. Surrounded by Asian Jasmine (widely utilized by Ju-Nel), the stairs are at once easy and inviting.  The handrail designed and installed by Hawes is what you would expect from a pedigreed architect; the bend of the metal matches the lines drawn by the walkway and its unassuming color blends into the landscape.

The two sprawling oaks both guard and frame the entryway.  A dense field of lush mondo grass soothes the senses, grounds the oak on the eastern side of the lawn, and provides a softening of the masculine stone front elevation.

Framed by the stone walls, the entry door is one of the few elements of the home which is not original.  The Mahogany door was designed and built by the Hawses son,  John Hawes.  My sense is that it adds to the persona of the home, and replaced an otherwise unimportant original door which held no significance.

The main living are in the front of the home presents an abundance of architectural elements.  Upon entering this room for the first time, I was overwhelmed with the natural beauty of the space - I have never seen anything like it in any Ju-Nel home.

Original walnut panelling is the centerpiece of the room.  It is a rare element reserved for only a few Ju-Nel homes, and the panels are beautifully preserved.  The matching trim around the clerestory windows provides maximum impact of the warm specimen of wood.

Mexican Adobe brick used for the fireplace is classic Ju-Nel.  Beautiful and unpainted, it is complimented by the original walnut boards which frame the recess.  The hearth tile is original, and provides a glimpse into design elements used in the early 60's; I have never seen the original square tiles used in a Ju-Nel hearth.  Possibly the best feature of the fireplace, and not immediately obvious, is that it is two-sided.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the home is how Wilson & Rowley designed and built the roof.  The beams are not typical Ju-Nel, and they support a roof deck of 1-1/8" plywood, a rigid insulating board, then a modified bitumen roof.  I am not aware of any other Ju-Nel home with this type of exposed roof construction.  The floors are constructed in the same fashion, but without the insulating boards.

The opposite side of the two-way fireplace is nearly identical to the front, the difference being instead of walnut boards defining the recess, original vertical walnut panelling is used.  It continues throughout the space, providing an architectural element rarely seen in any homes from this era.

Original windows frame a view of the front landscape from the dining area.  The vast majority of the windows in the home are original, and many feature low sliders beneath the unobstructed larger panes.

Original safari themed wallpaper adorns the walls of Hawes' office.  It is a rare treat and an element deserving of preservation.  The carpet in this space is also original, but looks as if recently installed.

Natural light from the skylight in the entryway is diffused by translucent panels.  While the wood trim surrounding the panels is original, the panels are not.  Hawes describes the original panels as multi-colored circles, too dark to allow the natural light into the spaces.

The second, less formal living space opening to the rear garden provides plentiful natural light and brings the lush landscape and water feature into the home.

The only addition to the home is a modest 4'x8' screened in porch off the primary bedroom designed by Hawes.  He paid special attention to every detail, carefully designing and building a small structure which would blend with, and not detract from the beauty of the home.

Wilson & Rowley were known for water features, and this one does not disappoint.  Positioned directly below the windows in the second living area, the fountains provide calming sounds of moving water. 

Of course Hawes kept the original plans, and they offer a glimpse into the minds of Wilson and Rowley as they designed the home.  You'll notice plans for sliding door panels separating the family room and the study which were ultimately not incorporated.  A wood screen separating the breakfast area from the family room, was also not incorporated into the final construction.  The only other significant difference from plans to construction is the two-piece bathroom in the study which does not exist.

The Hawes Residence is Mid Century Modern Architecture at its finest.  There is not another home like it, and there is not another home preserved in such a manner.