Modern hillside home with stone walls, large glass windows, and a swimming pool, set in natural terrain.

A modern hillside home with stone walls and large glass windows, featuring a swimming pool and surrounded by natural terrain.

Story

A hillside home that merges with the landscape of Big Sur Nestled along the rugged coastline of Northern Big Sur, California, this residence by Studio Schicketanz exemplifies a harmonious blend of architecture and nature. The house is strategically positioned between Highway One and Malpaso Creek, offering expansive views of the Pacific Ocean while remaining enveloped by the area's natural terrain. The design features interconnected pavilion-style volumes that gracefully step down the hillside. From a distance, the home appears as an extension of the landscape, with its green roofs seamlessly continuing the line of the hill, visually merging the architecture with its surroundings. The exterior is a composition of local granite stone walls and concrete finished in warm earth tones, echoing the cliffs and rocky coastline nearby. Floor-to-ceiling glass expanses on both sides of the home invite ocean air and sunlight, while sliding glass walls dissolve the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, leading to terraces and a swimming pool. A hidden courtyard at the rear of the house provides a sheltered retreat, surrounded by textured stone walls and a curved concrete seating area. This private patio contrasts with the open, ocean-facing side of the home, offering a tranquil space protected from the Pacific winds. Inside, the home balances modern architecture with warm finishes and handcrafted details. Mosaic walls introduce subtle color, while Venetian plaster adds texture. Wood ceilings connect the interiors to the natural tones of the exterior, and granite walls continue indoors, enhancing the visual connection with the coastal terrain. The main bedroom and en-suite bathroom maintain the home's modern yet comfortable aesthetic, with soft textures and natural light enhancing the spaces. An outdoor shower enclosed by stone walls offers a private yet connected experience with nature.

Design Highlights

Pavilion-style volumes integrated into the hillside Green roofs that blend with the landscape Use of local granite and earth-toned concrete Floor-to-ceiling glass for expansive views Hidden courtyard with stone walls and desert plants Interiors with mosaic and Venetian plaster accents Wood ceilings and granite walls for warmth and texture

Key Facts

Feature Description
Location Big Sur, California, USA
Architect Studio Schicketanz
Materials Local granite, earth-toned concrete, glass
Key Elements Green roofs, hidden courtyard, sliding glass walls
Interior Highlights Mosaic walls, Venetian plaster, wood ceilings

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Exterior Finish: Local granite stone walls combined with concrete finished in warm earth-tone colors.
  • Interior Finish: Venetian plaster accent walls and custom blend mosaic walls.

Materials

  • Stone — Used for exterior walls and continued into interior hallways.
  • Concrete — Used for exterior walls with a warm earth-tone finish.
  • Glass — Used for large floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass walls.
  • Wood — Used for ceilings and flooring in interior spaces.

Construction / Systems

  • Facade System: Combination of stone and concrete with large glass elements.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Warm earth tones, Natural stone colors
  • Lighting: Natural lighting through large glass windows and skylights.

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