This beautiful home is situated on a lot with a significant grade. Before construction began, we identified two beautiful views that the clients hoped to capture from within the house–one at a high point on the lot and the other at a much lower point. Our solution was to work with architect Deborah Auton to create an elongated design that steps down in harmony with the natural terrain. This was a challenge for a large, hacienda-scale home, but the end result is magnificent. The living room and kitchen capture one stunning view and the photography studio at the other end of the house continues to inspire the client’s photography practice. Many of the rooms and spaces have been designed specifically to showcase the extraordinary photography produced by the client.

The Vista Hermosa house is solidly built with lumber framing, but has the feel of an adobe home, with a sense of Middle Eastern perspective, sacred geometry and incredibly rich tones achieved by using Variance plaster finishes. As much as the larger vision, presence and perspective of the house makes an impression, the details and meeting points between contrasting materials are also central to the success of the project.