Design Solution:The architecture is shaped by the mediation of environmental forces unique to Big Sur—tectonic activity, solar intensity, oceanic winds, and saline exposure. Early site explorations revealed a hidden ravine containing a seasonal stream, which became the driver of the design. To restore the ecological function of this waterway, the home is organized as two stone-and-glass pavilions straddling the ravine, linked by a glazed bridge that allows the stream to flow unimpeded below. This configuration also immerses inhabitants in views of both the restored local ecology and the sweeping Pacific horizon.

The architectural language reflects the geology of the site. Stone walls, laid in slender gray courses, taper to recall the jagged cliff faces below. Above them, floating roofs separated by operable clerestories provide ventilation and light, appearing to merge visually with the cypress grove and horizon beyond. Large apertures frame alternating views outward to the sea and inward to the stream, balancing dramatic panoramas with intimate ecological encounters.

Landscape strategies include restoring native plantings, replacing a former driveway with a path planted in coastal scrub and chaparral, and designing the home’s footprint to avoid ecologically sensitive areas. The house is designed for self-shading, thermal mass, and natural ventilation. Photovoltaic systems reduce operational energy loads, while fire-resistant materials and a staging area for firefighting increase the building’s resilience. The result is an architecture that both protects and reveals its environment, allowing daily life to unfold in dialogue with the rhythms of coastal ecology. 

Photo © Joe Fletcher

Structure and Materials: The house is constructed of stone walls that echo the cliff faces of Big Sur. The walls provide thermal mass and durability against saline, solar, and wind exposure. Thin roofs float above the walls, separated by operable clerestories for daylighting and natural ventilation. Structural timber is FSC-certified, and much of it is recycled or engineered. Glass facades balance protection with openness, immersing occupants in the landscape while maintaining energy efficiency. Noncombustible wall materials, fire-resistant detailing, and a class A roof with ballast ensure long-term resilience. Together, these strategies merge endurance, ecological sensitivity, and architectural expression.

Additional Information
Completion date: April 2024
Site size: 2.27 acres
Total construction cost: Withheld
Client/Owner: Withheld

Photos © Joe Fletcher

Drawings courtesy Field Architecture; click to enlarge