We love this modern interpretation of an old stone house. Invisible from the nearby Pacific Coast Highway, but open to views of ocean and landscape, this breathtaking family retreat is situated on the rugged coast of Big Sur. Designed by Richard Beard Architects, the house is an exercise in restraint in its dramatic setting.
“The ocean view is not the only asset, so we put the house close to the bluff, but with a foreground presence,” notes Richard Beard, principal architect for the project. “It’s not too engaged with the water – but you can still appreciate the ocean crashing on the rocks.”
The home’s simple, elemental volumes are built using a limited palette of materials.
The design is derived from both classic English country houses and modern coastal California homes. The narrow, two-story plan limits site coverage, which allows for lush gardens and five outdoor rooms. A protected courtyard features a variety of plants from California and around the world.
One of the many outdoor spaces for entertaining.
Spectacular views over the bluff edge to the natural features that line the coast.
The design also included restoring native landscaping to the property surrounding the house which had been compromised prior to the owners acquiring the property.
More photos of this project by Richard Beard Architects appear in our Coastal Inspiration E-Book, available for free download on our site.
Richard Beard of Richard Beard Architects
Ground Studio (Landscape Architect)
Photography by Nick Johnson
