Header: Joe Fletcher
Built on a 28-acre property in the sunny mountains of the Santa Lucia Preserve, between Carmel and Big Sur, in California, Stone Villa was planned as a retreat for family and friends. The owners had spent time in Tuscany, so they asked architecture studio Feldman Architecture to design a house that reflects the region’s aesthetics, villas, stonework and close relationship with the landscape.
Merging architecture with the Santa Lucia mountains
The house is divided into four detached stone buildings that follow the contours of the land: a living pavilion, an owner’s suite with an office, a pool cabana and guest suite, and a garage. They are located in a one-acre clearing on a ridge, connected by paths, gardens and courtyards.
This layout was specifically chosen to make the house’s real size less noticeable from the surrounding landscape, creating an interesting type of privacy: only the residents know what’s hidden among the trees. Furthermore, this synergy between land and house also allowed the design team to restore a hillside meadow that had been overtaken by invasive plants.
Tuscany aesthetics and local materials
The buildings are made of thick granite walls, with windows placed to frame views across the valley and through the tree canopy. Deep roof overhangs and shaded terraces help manage the sun, while breezeways between the buildings catch the cool winds. Above the living pavilion, a tower and roof deck give views across the surrounding preserve.
The materials were kept simple and natural: local St. Helena Cottage stone, reclaimed teak and drought-tolerant planting were used to connect the architecture with the site and support the restoration of habitat around the buildings. The project began with references to Tuscany, but the finished house is a contemporary retreat shaped by its unique setting.
Project information
Architecture Company: Feldman Architecture
Lead Designer: Jonathan Feldman
Design Team: Ben Welty, Liza Karimova, Michael Trentacosti, Jeff Wheeler
Landscape Architecture: Ground Studio Landscape Architecture
Construction: True Build Construction
Lighting Design: Tucci Lighting
Civil Engineer: Whitson Engineers
Structural Engineer: Strandberg Engineering
Geotechnical Engineer: Moore Twining
MEP: Monterey Energy Group
Styling: Mikhael Romain
