Backen & Backen Architecture Lifestyle Wellbeing

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Backen & Backen Architecture Lifestyle Wellbeing

Architecture | Lifestyle | Wellness The bestselling architecture and design book, From the Land, published by Rizzoli, illustrates many of the firm’s projects.

Backen & Backen (formerly known as Backen & Gillam Architects) is an internationally recognized design firm known for spaces such as Sundance Mountain Resort, Esperanza Resort, Promontory Winery, the Restoration Hardware Gallery stores (created within iconic buildings in Boston, Chicago, & New York City) and numerous celebrity and high-profile client residences (as recently featured in the June 20

21 issue of Architectural Digest.) B&B has offices in Sausalito, St. Helena, Los Angeles, and Montecito, California.

04/14/2026

A tasting room that opens up, bringing the vineyard in from every angle. Find a seat anywhere, every spot in the house has a view.

Partner: John Taft -
Principal: Michael Boes Winery: Frank Family Vineyards -  Interiors: Julie Hawkins -  Doors & Windows: Jada Windows -  Photography: John Merkl -

04/02/2026

Continuum Winery, designed by our founder Howard Backen and partner John Taft, achieves its presence through simplicity. The dark steel facade, the gravel, and the glass create a restrained material palette that lets the scale of the building and the beauty of the surrounding landscape do the rest.

Architect: Howard Backen & John Taft -
Photographer: Olaf Beckman

03/31/2026

The Saskatchewan River Residence was shaped by the land it occupies. Anchored at the edge of a river valley, the house is clad in materials chosen to endure and age gracefully through the full measure of its northern climate.

Principal: Kevin Casey - .m.casey (earlier work) & Loren Kroeger (former Principal)
Interiors: Matthew Leverone -
General Contractor: Heredity Homes -
Landscape Designer: Dialog Design -
Photographer: Kevin Casey - .m.casey

03/26/2026

A St. Helena residence from the early 2000s, designed by our founding partner Howard Backen. The light filled interiors, open living spaces, and indoor outdoor connection you see here are design principles we still carry into every project today.

Architect: Backen & Backen
Photographer: Erhard Pfeiffer -

03/24/2026

This hillside residence takes full advantage of its canyon setting. Covered outdoor rooms, open terraces, and an infinity pool were all designed to keep the surrounding landscape at the center of daily life.

Partner: Tom Spoja -
Interior Designer: Ann Jones
Contractor: Grassi & Associates -
Landscape Architect: Jonathan Plant
Photographer: Erhard Pfeiffer -

03/19/2026

With our 30 year anniversary approaching this December, we are starting to look back at the projects that shaped who we are. And since we heard the 90s are back, it felt like the right time. was designed to be a home away from home, a San Francisco staple that only gets better with age and remains as relevant today as the day it opened.

Architect: Backen & Backen

03/17/2026

A concept we loved putting together. As one of the approved architects at .mx , a regenerative coastal community in Costalegre, Jalisco, this Rancho Estates design was built around open living, natural materials, and a seamless connection to the Pacific coast.

Partner: Tony Selko -
Principal: Dusan Motolik

03/06/2026

The Aspen Residence sits on 20 acres of Colorado meadow, a significant portion of the land was dedicated to a conservation easement, preserving the beauty for generations to come. When designing this home, every view was framed with intention, to capture the valley, invite natural light, and bring the beauty of the landscape into daily life.

Architect:
Partner: Tony Selko (earlier work) -
Interior Designer: Kerry Joyce -
Lighting Designer: Eric Johnson & Associates (EJA) -
Landscape Architect: Design Workshop -
Contractor: Hansen Construction -
Photographer: Erhard Pfeiffer -

03/03/2026

Tucked into the surrounding oaks, grounded by limestone floors, with bedroom views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it’s the perfect combination for a relaxed, private hideaway.


Interiors: April Powers -
Landscape: Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture -
Photographer: Erhard Pfeiffer -

02/26/2026

Thank you to the Marin Independent Journal for featuring our recent .bayarea panel on wellness and thoughtful design. These topics are central to our work at Backen & Backen, and the article shares some great insights and tips, we encourage you to read it!

Photographer: John Merkl -

02/23/2026

Circle T Ranch is where serene landscapes meet thoughtful design, and every detail, material, and open space comes together to create a retreat that is both grand in scale and deeply personal.

Construction: Sebastian -
Interiors: Leslie Hemmings -
Photographer: Casey Dunn -

02/19/2026

An open event space, poolside dining, and sheltered paths create a setting that feels effortless, relaxed, and hard to leave.

Principal: Kevin Casey - .m.casey
Interiors: Studio Collective -
Contractor: JMA Builders -
Landscape: Girvin Associates -
Photographer: John Merkl -

Address

1421 Main Street, St Helena
Saint Helena, CA
94574

Website

http://www.backenarch.com/

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