Carmel Residence

In coastal California, nature and architecture come together to create a modern interpretation of a weathered Mediterranean villa. Envisioned as a soulful retreat, the home exists in harmony with the landscape. Renaturalizing the once-barren site became a labor of love, driven by the desire to restore the picturesque place to what it once was. As time progresses and the house ages gracefully, the site will again be adorned with a blanket of native cypress and specimen oak trees. The design evokes traditional forms overlaid with contemporary insertions. Crisp steel cuts across poured concrete, symbolizing the intersection of old and new. Grounded in its place, the house blends with the surroundings, its roof plane appearing to merge into the landscape. The architecture and terrain inspire the restrained, yet highly detailed, interiors. Glass-enclosed pathways transition you through the site as you move between public and private spaces, leading to rooms that open fully to the outdoors. Expanses of oak—knotty, curled, and split—are seamlessly integrated into the architecture and pay homage to decades past. Handcrafted brick tiles, characterized by their long and narrow shape, form the roof, while textured wood louvers accentuate the gable rooflines.