20-024 Stone Villa
The owners of a 28-acre property tucked in the mountains of the Santa Lucia Preserve dreamed of a weekend retreat inspired by the ruins of Roman towns they visited during travels through Tuscany. A space dedicated to entertaining and spending time with friends and family, our team crafted their home’s design as a modern interpretation of an ancient Roman villa, rediscovered after being lost to time.
The design situates four autonomous stone structures in a one acre clearing on a ridge, overlooking an open valley to the east and surrounded by coast live oaks. The structures - a living pavilion, the owner’s suite and office pavilion, a pool cabana/guest suite, and a garage - are stitched together by exterior pathways, gardens, and courtyards, prioritizing indoor-outdoor connections. Strategically located to immerse occupants in the landscape and fill each space with natural daylight, thickened walls of local granite ground the pavilions and carved corners capture views of the valley through openings in tree canopies.
With the living pavilion centrally located, the pool cabana to the east, the owner’s suite and office to the south, and garage to the west, each structure works to negotiate the contours of the sloping site. Large overhangs and deep window recesses offer sun protection, while openings between buildings catch prevailing summer winds. A tower and roof deck above the living pavilion offers views of the surrounding landscape from above the tree canopy.
Materiality
Avid travelers with a fondness for the Tuscan region of Italy, they were inspired by the timeworn towns and villas scattered throughout its countryside, particularly drawn to old-world stone craftsmanship. St. Helena Cottage stone from Sonoma and reclaimed Teak adorn the exterior.
