Big Sur Residence
Invisible from the nearby Pacific Coast Highway, but open to views of ocean and landscape, this house was designed by Richard Beard Architects to exercise restraint in its dramatic setting in Big Sur.
Derived from both classic English country houses and modern coastal California homes, the narrow, two-story plan limits site coverage yielding space for a series of protected outdoor rooms.
“Diagramming the project’s essential elements, notes Richard Beard, principal architect for the project, “led us to expose the rugged inherent nature of the site. You want to see the cliff and the trees leaning in the wind—and you want people to be comfortable out in the wild.”
Inside, the house features an eclectic collection of regional art and antiques. Coffered ceilings, wood paneled walls, stone flooring and metal accents come together to create a rich interior. The site itself, much of which had been compromised prior to the owners acquiring the property, was restored with the addition of extensive native landscaping.
Design: Richard Beard Architects
Photography: Nick Johnson