20-024 Stone Villa
Nestled in the mountains of the Santa Lucia Preserve, a land trust between Carmel and Big Sur, the owners of this 28-acre property envisioned a retreat for family and friends. Seasoned travelers with a deep affection for the Tuscan countryside, they were drawn to its sun-soaked villas, stone craftsmanship, and enduring sense of place. Alongside our team, they set out to reinterpret these timeless sensibilities through a modern lens, all while grounding and shaping the home in the beauty of its natural surroundings.
Guided by early site and climate studies, the design arranges four detached stone structures to step with the contours of the land, reducing visual impact and restoring a hillside meadow previously overtaken by invasive growth. Sited within a one-acre ridge-top clearing, the structures - a living pavilion, owner’s suite and office, a pool cabana/guest suite, and a garage - are linked by pathways, gardens, and courtyards that foster meaningful indoor-outdoor connections. Breaking the home into smaller components minimized the project’s square footage, and therefore cost and carbon footprint, while allowing the buildings to rest lightly and gracefully on the narrow ridge.
What began as inspiration drawn from Tuscany evolved into a modern translation - an understated and timeless retreat, carefully crafted and sensitively attuned to its site, where architecture, landscape, and lifestyle meld seamlessly.
Sustainable Strategies
The design integrates historical character with modern detailing and performance, creating a home deeply responsive to its site—a former hillside meadow of native grasses now restored after years of invasive species growth. Guided by early site and climate analysis, the plan arranges multiple detached structures that step with the natural grade, reducing visual impact, minimizing grading, and preserving terrain. Resilient design features address wildfire risk and climate change, supporting long-term durability. Passive strategies—optimized solar orientation, natural ventilation, daylighting,—combine with high-performance windows, all-electric mechanical systems, on-site renewable energy production and storage to target net-zero energy use.
Materiality
Natural, warm materials further root the architecture to its setting. Local St. Helena Cottage stone and reclaimed teak harmonize the project with its environment.
Capturing Vistas
Thick, solid granite walls anchor the pavilions to the site, while carefully carved openings frame valley views through the tree canopy. Deep overhangs and shaded recesses temper the sun, and breezeways between buildings capture prevailing winds. A tower and roof deck above the living pavilion lift residents into the treetops, offering panoramic views of the surrounding preserve.
