A while ago I photographed a residential home project in Healdsburg built by MurphyMcKenna and designed by Couture. Some architectural spaces reveal themselves immediately while others unfold slowly through light, perspective, and time.
Nestled into the hillsides of Healdsburg, California, this striking residential addition was one of those projects that continued to reveal something new with every visit. Designed as a steel-and-glass extension emerging from the hillside, the new structure feels almost suspended within the landscape. It is light (looking), transparent with the large glass surfaces and deeply connected to its surroundings.
Glass-and-steel extension on a dramatic 70% grade built by MurphyMcKenna Construction - © by brightroomSF Architectural Photography Studio, San Francisco 2026
Built by @murphymckenna_construction as an addition to the existing home, the project transforms a dramatic 70% grade into an experience of calm and openness. Steel, glass, and concrete come together with remarkable restraint, creating a space that feels both grounded and weightless at the same time.
Glass-and-steel extension from the side on a Healdsburg, CA home built by MurphyMcKenna Construction - © by brightroomSF Architectural Photography Studio, San Francisco 2026
What fascinated me most throughout the photography process was the way the addition interacts with light and topography. The expansive glazing continuously pulls the surrounding landscape into the architecture, dissolving the boundary between interior and exterior. Depending on the hour, the structure shifts between reflective and transparent, sometimes nearly disappearing into the hillside altogether.
Interior-exterior connection in a Healdsburg, CA home built by MurphyMcKenna Construction - © by brightroomSF Architectural Photography Studio, San Francisco 2026
Photographing a project like this requires far more than simply documenting finishes or square footage. Architecture rooted so deeply in natural light and atmosphere demands patience and observation. It definitely helped that the owners of the home had two sweet “models” who added life to the images.
Custom Staircase on a Healdsburg, CA home built by Stockliniron - © by brightroomSF Architectural Photography Studio, San Francisco 2026
I returned to the property multiple times to fully capture how the space transformed throughout the day. Morning light emphasized the sharp geometry of the steel structure and the texture of the concrete surfaces, while late afternoon softened the interiors and filled the glass enclosure with warmth and reflection. Each visit revealed a different emotional quality within the space.
The steep hillside site also introduced unique photographic considerations. Preserving clean architectural lines while balancing expansive exterior views with intimate interior moments required careful positioning and perspective control. The challenge was not simply to photograph the addition itself, but to communicate how it feels to inhabit the space, suspended between architecture and landscape.
Jakuzzi with a view at a Healdsburg, CA home built by Roberts Hot Tubs - © by brightroomSF Architectural Photography Studio, San Francisco 2026
For me, architectural photography is ultimately about translating intent. Not only documenting what a project looks like, but preserving the atmosphere the architect and builder worked so carefully to create.
This Healdsburg addition is a beautiful example of quiet luxury through restraint, precision, and connection to place. I am grateful to have documented such a thoughtful collaboration and it was great working with the MurphyMcKenna Team. Special thanks to Tarryn for project coordination. And lets not forget the special jakuzzi built by Roberts Hot Tubs and the custom staircase by Stocklin Iron.
Entry of the Healdsburg, CA home at sunset built by MurphyMcKenna Construction - © by brightroomSF Architectural Photography Studio, San Francisco 2026
Project Credits:
Photographer: @brightroomsf
Builder: @murphymckenna_construction
Architect: @couturearchitecture
Windows: @panoramah
Windows & Doors: @portalais_inc
Concrete: @concretumoperisinc
Steel: ResCom
Custom Iron: @stockliniron
Hot Tub: @rhtubs
#architecturalphotography #architecturephotographer #healdsburg #modernarchitecture #architecturaldigest #californiamodern #interiorarchitecture #designphotography #luxuryarchitecture #architecturelovers #customhome #northerncalifornia #steelandglass
At BrightroomSF Studio, we are proud not to just document spaces but translating them into compelling visual narratives.
We partner with architects, interior designers, landscape architects and developers to elevate how their work is seen, understood, and remembered.
Our approach is collaborative, detail-driven, and fueled by genuine passion for the built environment.
The result: imagery that doesn’t just look good, it works for your brand.
Rear View of the Healdsburg, CA home built by MurphyMcKenna Construction - © by brightroomSF Architectural Photography Studio, San Francisco 2026
brightroomSF is a San Francisco Bay Area - San Francisco and Oakland - based commercial, architectural and interior photography studio operated by Marcell Puzsar and his team. We help businesses to elevate their artistic visual representation to the highest standards on the web and other marketing materials. We have extensive experience to help our clients in Visual Storytelling, Commercial Photography, Aerial Photography and Video, Art Direction, Lifestyle photography, Architectural and Interior Photography Projects.
“Designed media for those who shape environments”