The Saddle Peak Residence

The Saddle Peak Residence is located in the Santa Monica Mountains, a protected area prone to wildfire. AUX Architecture’s fire-responsive scheme balances the clients’ desire for a place to welcome their children and grandchildren with a smart, defensive approach to the realities of living in a chaparral landscape. Working within local development restrictions, which constrained the project to the size of the original building on the one-acre property, we transformed a dark, non-descript tract house into a resilient, light-filled home.

AUX Architecture renovated the interior and exterior of the 1960s home, while retaining the existing footprint and rooflines of the existing residence. Our 4,000-square-foot design fashions non-combustible standing seam metal and fire-retardant-treated vertical grain cedar into a modern-meets-vernacular composition of three barn-like forms. Dark and natural façade materials help visually integrate the home into the surrounding landscape. The building’s profile is both minimalist and pragmatic; as a protection from fire intrusion, there are no eaves or eave vents.

Sustainable and engineered to operate largely off the grid, The Saddle Peak Residence uses photovoltaic panels to produce electricity and thermal panels to heat the pool and the thermally coupled HVAC system. The home demonstrates best practices in fire safety. It’s equipped with a heat-sensitive suppression system that, in case of a wildfire emergency, deploys pool water and fire-retardant foam to quickly form a defensive barrier around the property. Further protective measures include drought tolerant landscaping combined with clearing brush to maintain low-fuel perimeter.

Such a fire-wise design still allows for ample connections interior and exterior. AUX Architecture streamlined the original ground floor into a dramatic, single volume that connects directly to the pool terrace unites the kitchen and living areas. To retain a sense of openness, a freestanding sculptural stair leads to the master suite and guest bedrooms on the second floor. Strategically placed windows bring in daylight and look out onto incredible mountain views. The cedar siding used on the façade continues inside to the peaked ceiling and walls around the hearth, where it provides a sense of warmth.

In addition to undertaking the architectural renovation, AUX Architecture developed the interior design. At the request of the clients, who wanted an entirely new experience of their home, we selected all finishes, furnishings, and homeware—from artwork to champagne flutes.

The project diverted an estimated 85 metric tons of waste from landfills, avoided 0.152 million KgCo2e emissions, and is 80% lower embodied carbon than new construction.