Curveball

A couple approached our firm with a vision for a new home that fits gracefully and subtly into the land, perfect for gathering and hosting friends and family, immersed in the natural magic of the Santa Lucia Preserve. Prioritizing site-responsiveness, regenerative design, and connection to the outdoors, the design artfully places two gently curved forms to create a courtyard within a grove of oaks on a steep hillside, respecting the existing landscape and orienting public and private spaces towards both distant views as well as intimate moments with dense tree canopies.

The upper curved form, topped by a green roof, seamlessly emerges from the hillside and contains a primary suite with multidirectional panoramic vistas. The second lower curved form houses public spaces on the main level, playfully interlocking with the upper wing while carving out a sheltered courtyard between the two. The glassy foyer opens onto a landscaped courtyard with a plunge pool and a patio off the great room steps down the hillside towards a pristine meadow below.

Considering fire resiliency and sustainability, the building is enveloped by durable, low-maintenance modular weathering steel panels and aluminum windows. The eroded material aesthetic reinforces the conceptual merging of architecture and landscape; wood clad interiors add warmth and a sense of refuge to counter the rugged exterior palette.

Feldman Architecture is excited to announce that Curveball will be our first project to attempt to achieve a Living Building Challenge certification. We aim to achieve full Living Building Challenge certification, however, as this is our first attempt at working within the constraints of this rigorous program, we may pursue a Petal or CORE certification. Read about the certification process on our blog. 

LOCATION Carmel, California

PROJECT TEAM
Landscape Architect: MFLA
Structural Engineer: Daedalus Structural Engineering
Civil Engineer: L&S Engineering
Surveyor: Whitson Engineers
Geotechnical Engineer: Haro Kasunich & Associates