This newly constructed residence is one of few contemporary designs in the area. It is distinctly organized with one main axis or spine that runs along the whole structure. The center of the building features the public areas with a shed roof over a long gallery for art. The open plan emphasizes space usage and contemporary living. A sculptural glass-and-steel fireplace separates the living area from the dining room. The far north-end block serves as the master bedroom and bath. The two-bedroom guest quarters are at the opposing end, and adjacent to a three-car garage. An exposed rafter system brings stability to the metal roof, while the walls of the house are plaster and glass.

This house is on a 10 acre parcel in Toro Canyon among natural groves of oak and eucalyptus trees. A seasonal creek to the east and Toro Canyon Creek to the west flanks the secluded building site. The house is approached via a narrow, tree covered drive, which ends at a small clearing and presenting the ocean and islands in the distance. The residence is sited on axis with the canyon and views beyond. The building parti presents three one story, wedge shaped volumes; a carport /service volume to the north, a public living volume to the south west and a private sleeping volume to the south east. The volume enclosing the carport intersects the living volume and is offset to showcase the glass entry pavilion separating the volumes.

Constructed of laminated glass beams and roof panels, with glass doors, this entry space is conceptualized as an exterior circulation connection between the private and public wings of the house. The exterior walls are constructed of 12” thick insulated cast-in-place self consolidating concrete, and a metal roof helps to provide maximum fire resistance in this secluded canyon. Interior floors are lightweight concrete. The exposed concrete is warmed with doors and windows of natural mahogany and interior millwork and ceilings of natural eucalyptus. The main floor of 4,700 square feet includes a studio, family room, kitchen, dining room, living room, office and master suite. A lower floor of 2800 square feet includes guest rooms and an exercise space and mechanical space.

This open, loft-like auxiliary building offers an architectural experience that is distinct and separate from the main residence on the property. The building is sited to restrict views of the main house and to allow the structure to take advantage of sweeping vistas from its oceanfront bluff site, situated between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Spirited tectonics and an efficient plan give the structure its distinct architectural identity—a utilitarian object that is in dialogue with its site and reflective of its function.

The studio building’s design sustains a subtle tension between light-industrial references and the refined details of a custom residence. The thin roof is supported by exposed, pre-fabricated truss joists and is attached imperceptibly to a tall shear wall. The roof spans and shelters the stacked programmatic boxes of ground-floor guest apartment and second-floor art studio. Copper roof flashing and drainage downspout lend domestic finery.

The taller shear wall, which is wrapped in redwood shingles – suggesting a relationship to the main house—anchors the structure, allowing the roof and opposing wall, which intersect asymmetrically, to appear as if they are about to float away from their solid, rectilinear counterparts.

The exterior wall is constructed of the same pre-fabricated joists, positioned vertically and covered in Thermoclear, forming a translucent skin that radiates daylight into the spaces. At night, when lit by interior-mounted lighting, it exudes a glow from within, giving the impression of a Japanese lantern.

A “contemporary house with a Mexican flavor” is what the art-collecting client requested. Shubin + Donaldson responded with a contextual mélange of multiple orthogonal volumes that are monumental to reflect a refined Mexican spirit in shape as well as in material. The solidity of forms on one side of the home speaks to the Mexican flavor of the structure, while the abundance of glazing on the other side relates to the physical context of the coastal site.

The rough plaster of the 18-inch-thick walls—the same finish seen often in Mexico—adds texture and depth, and softens the monumentality of the forms. Although in the vein of Mexican architecture, this home departs in the choice of coloration, with a decidedly neutral, earthy pigment. Contrasting with the rough forms is the limestone-clad entry volume that appears to slice through the plaster volumes. The entry separates the home’s public and private spaces.

Responding to the site, Shubin + Donaldson created a constant interplay between indoor and outdoor in a continual effort to frame views and compose angles. Upon entering the building, beyond the play of forms, is the surprise view through the entry toward the negative-edge reflecting pool and out to the ocean beyond. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around a fountain, which also brings light into the home. One can go from the living room to dining room across the stepping stones in the central reflecting pool.

An indoor swimming pool is accessed down the stairs from the master suite through a curved corridor that sports a rare hint of vibrant color. A deep orange curving corridor and sparkling blue wall in the pool house are a nod to a traditional Mexican palette. Three skylights punctuate the space that houses a 60-foot-long lap pool.

The owners wanted the house to have public spaces for social events. The dramatic, open foyer and entry create a seamless experience for visitors as they journey from exterior to interior. Exterior limestone is repeated in the flooring, with contrasting darker limestone stripes echoing the ceiling articulation. Mexican Tzalam wood is used for the custom-made doors, the spectacular interior bridge, and the interior wood floors.