Chapter III Residence

This 6,000-square-foot residence is situated on five acres of rugged coastal terrain in northern Los Angeles County, within the ecologically sensitive Santa Monica Mountains coastal zone. Conceived as a retreat for a large, intergenerational family, the home responds to its dramatic hillside setting with a singular horizontal volume elevated above the topography by two vertical structural columns, allowing the landscape to flow uninterrupted beneath it.

Continuous rooflines and balustrades wrap the structure in a series of horizontal ribbons that frame expansive views of the ocean and distant mountains. Each band operates as a deliberate aperture, focusing the horizon and reinforcing the home’s connection to its coastal surroundings.

Designed for seamless indoor/outdoor living, the 6,000 square feet of interior space fully open to 2,500 square feet of covered exterior areas. Deep overhangs provide shade and protection from the elements, while a pattern of perforations—reminiscent of oculi—filters natural light into both interior and exterior spaces, creating dynamic shadow and light throughout the day.

Materially, the home is defined by a restrained dialogue between vertical cedar siding and crisp white stucco bands. The warmth and richness of the wood contrast with the luminous stucco volumes that wrap and articulate the massing, reinforcing the project’s balance between solidity and lightness.