Featured in Dwell Magazine

Faced with rebuilding after a firestorm that devastated the community, the owner - a well-respected artist - desired that his house deviate from the prominent local architectural language in order to bring an optimistic, contemporary voice to the scene. An environment where he would create and display his artwork, while being inspired by the surrounding natural setting. Large, expansive walls to display paintings, huge glass doors that open to endless views, and a subtle color palette of materials that allows art and nature to take the spotlight.

Set on a 1/4-acre sloping lot, the building is a confident gesture of concrete, steel and glass. The supporting superstructure came to the site as pre-engineered, prefabricated, recycled steel framing and was designed to be protected within the interior volume. The metal skeleton allows for expansive openings that are filled with metal-framed glass. The remaining exterior is wrapped with a fire-resistant skin of color-enhanced insulated metal panels. The concept of resilience is the focus.

Forced by circumstance, this artist developed a sleek, sexy, modern steel home that provides a definitive edge for contemporary architecture in Santa Barbara and California's central coast.

Technical
Year completed 2014
Building area 3357 SF
Lot area 10,500 SF
Lot slope 41%