Set within a former stagecoach stop along the historic route to Boonville, Bell Valley Retreat—now known as WhisperTree—has long served as a gathering place for environmentally focused groups. Studio KDA was engaged to support the evolution of this unique property, beginning with a comprehensive master plan to better organize the site and guide its future growth.
Working within the framework of the retreat’s commitment to regenerative land management, our interventions focused on adapting existing structures and introducing new buildings to support the program. A former garage and workshop were reimagined as the retreat’s primary conference center and gathering hub. Through the use of agrarian materials and a restrained palette, the space was transformed into a warm, flexible venue that now serves as the retreat’s primary source of revenue and remains consistently in use throughout the year.
Complementing this central space, we designed a bathhouse to serve guests dispersed across the property. Referencing the rustic character of the site, the structure features open-air circulation, saloon-style doors, and framed views of the surrounding hills.
Additional work included the design of a site manager’s residence and workshop, further supporting the operational needs of the retreat.
