Curry Canyon Ranch Project - Miller Landscape Architecture

Curry Canyon Ranch is the largest and most diverse of Save Mount Diablo’s properties. Its key features include Curry Canyon, Clark Canyon, Windy Point, Cave Point, and Knobcone Point, all of which are visible from the summit of Mount Diablo. MLA presented conceptual drawings for the conversion of a donated single-family property to a park and community building.

Visitors are greeted by the overhead gate, then led through the arbor into the donor courtyard. The two decks and folding glass walls integrate the house with the surrounding landscape, and connect the courtyard to the creek side of the ranch house. The flowing, curvilinear design recalls the casual serpentine form of Curry Creek.

The design is anchored by a sculptural seat wall which recognizes the donors whose contributions allow preservation and enjoyment of the view. The undulating wall is inspired by the geological formation of the mountain and creates simple and flexible spaces to encourage small and large groups to gather.

A circuit of subtle mulch paths echo the network of trails traversing the mountain and invite more active and curious guests of the ranch to explore the landscape outside of the protected area, and humbly walk in the footsteps of the Bay Miwok, the original residents of Mt. Diablo.